This bill amends various sections of the Code of West Virginia to grant the Supreme Court of Appeals the authority to establish uniform pay scales for judicial support staff, including magistrate court clerks, magistrate assistants, magistrate court deputy clerks, and family court secretary-clerks. The current fixed annual salaries for these positions, which are set at specific amounts, will be replaced with salaries determined by a pay scale established by the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court. This change aims to enhance recruitment and retention of employees by providing a clearer and more consistent pay structure based on job duties and educational qualifications.

In addition to the salary adjustments, the bill also allows for general salary increases for these positions, similar to those granted to other state employees whose salaries are not statutorily fixed. The bill includes provisions for the appointment and duties of magistrate assistants and deputy clerks, ensuring that they are not immediate family members of magistrates and meet certain qualifications. Furthermore, it authorizes the Supreme Court of Appeals to create additional classifications of support staff as necessary for the efficient operation of family courts, with their salaries also determined by the established pay scale.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 50-1-8, 50-1-9, 50-1-9a, 51-2A-6