House Bill 2696 aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing a new section, 51-1-14, which grants the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals the authority to establish rules for the limited practice of law by nonlawyers, referred to as limited license legal practitioners. The bill also proposes the formation of a task force to evaluate and recommend the conditions under which nonlawyers can provide limited legal services in specific areas of practice. This task force will consist of representatives from various legal and educational institutions, including the West Virginia State Bar Association and local universities.

The task force's responsibilities will include examining certification requirements for limited license legal practitioners, such as registration, examination processes, and prerequisites for entry into the certification program. It will also explore potential modifications to certification for applicants with relevant educational backgrounds and identify the areas of practice available to these practitioners, starting with child abuse and neglect proceedings and mental hygiene proceedings. Additionally, the task force will address the implementation process, associated costs, and the timeline for establishing certification programs, as well as propose changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct to accommodate these practitioners.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 51-1-14