WV HB5443

Increases minimum compensation for panel attorneys from $60-80/hour to at least $100/hour for all legal services, with rates to be published annually by June 15

Raises maximum compensation cap for non-life-imprisonment cases from $4,500 to $6,000, unless courts approve higher amounts for good cause

Creates new "assistant guardian ad litem" position compensated at minimum $40/hour to conduct visits, meet with children, attend hearings and multidisciplinary team meetings under guardian ad litem supervision

Establishes minimum $20/hour paralegal compensation and $30/hour investigator reimbursement rates, with annual publication requirements

Requires Public Defender Services to submit annual reports beginning December 1, 2026 tracking guardian ad litem case metrics including MDT meeting attendance, client visits, average case duration, and billable hours