House Bill 2696 proposes to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding 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 establishes a Task Force for Limited License Legal Practitioners, which will evaluate and recommend the conditions under which nonlawyers may provide limited legal services in specific areas of practice, such as child abuse and neglect proceedings and mental hygiene proceedings.

The task force will consist of representatives from various legal and educational institutions, including the West Virginia State Bar Association and local universities. It will consider several factors in its recommendations, including certification requirements, prerequisites for entry into the certification program, and the implementation process for limited license legal practitioners. Additionally, the task force will identify necessary changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct and establish a complaint process for aggrieved parties against limited license legal practitioners. The overall aim of the bill is to enhance access to legal services in West Virginia while ensuring that nonlawyers can practice law under regulated conditions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 51-1-14