WV HB4664

Establishes a minimum hourly rate of $100 for all legal services performed by panel attorneys, replacing the previous split rates of $60-$70 for out-of-court work and $80-$90 for in-court work.

Sets a minimum hourly rate of $20 for paralegal services and $30 for investigative services performed for panel attorneys.

Requires West Virginia Public Defender Services to annually publish compensation rates on their website by June 15 for the next fiscal year.

Mandates Public Defender Services submit an annual report beginning December 1, 2026, to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources, the Foster Care Ombudsman, and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals summarizing guardian ad litem services.

The annual report must include data on multidisciplinary team meeting attendance, average caseloads, length of proceedings, in-person client visits, and hours billed by panel attorneys serving as guardians ad litem.