WV HB4358

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, 2026, and services commencing October 1, 2026

Requests the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals select three judicial circuits by June 1, 2026: 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 the executive director as chair plus seven Governor-appointed members including a retired judge, four experienced guardian ad litem lawyers, one chief public guardian ad litem, and one nonlawyer advocate

Establishes public guardian ad litem corporations in selected circuits governed by local boards of directors, with funding through annual grants and mandatory monthly financial reporting to the agency

Includes a sunset provision terminating the pilot program on June 30, 2029, and grants qualified guardian ad litem attorneys the same civil immunity from liability as prosecuting attorneys