WV HB2035

Establishes a three-year pilot program creating the West Virginia Public Guardian ad Litem Services to provide legal representation for children in juvenile abuse and neglect proceedings, with implementation beginning July 1, 2025 and legal services commencing October 1, 2025

Requests the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to select three judicial circuits for the pilot program by June 1, 2025: one rural county (population under 50,000), one urban county (population over 50,000), and one special needs county with exceptional guardian ad litem service needs

Creates a Guardian ad Litem Commission consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor, including a retired circuit judge, four experienced guardian ad litem lawyers, one chief public guardian ad litem, and advocates for minors in abuse and neglect proceedings

Establishes public guardian ad litem corporations in each pilot circuit governed by local boards of directors, with full-time attorneys prohibited from private practice and funded through annual grants from the state agency

Sets the pilot program sunset date as June 30, 2028, and grants appointed guardian ad litem attorneys the same civil immunity from liability as prosecuting attorneys