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. Specifically, the bill removes fixed salary amounts previously set by law and replaces them with a provision stating that salaries will be determined by a pay scale established by the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court. This change allows for greater flexibility in compensation and aligns the salaries of these positions with potential general salary increases granted to state employees.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the Supreme Court of Appeals to create additional classifications of support staff as needed for the efficient operation of family courts. It also clarifies the roles and responsibilities of magistrate assistants and deputy clerks, ensuring that they are accountable to the magistrate court clerks and outlining their duties in relation to the court's administrative functions. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the compensation structure for judicial support staff and enhance the operational efficiency of the court system in West Virginia.

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