WV HB5684

Supreme Court of Appeals authorized to create a pilot project establishing child protection commissioners to manage portions of child welfare court cases filed under Chapter 49.

Child protection commissioners must be licensed West Virginia attorneys with experience in juvenile law, appointed by the Supreme Court for renewable two-year terms.

Commissioners may authorize emergency child removals, conduct hearings, compel witness testimony, order services and visitation, determine child support and custody matters, and issue non-binding recommendations to circuit judges.

Retired attorneys receiving state retirement benefits may work as child protection commissioners or circuit court law clerks without suspension of their annuity, provided they have been retired at least 60 days.

Senior judges and justices may serve as child protection commissioners or law clerks while receiving per diem compensation up to $430 per day, subject to annual compensation limits.