This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia to increase compensation for panel attorneys working with the Public Defender Services. Specifically, it raises the hourly compensation rates for legal services performed by panel attorneys, with out-of-court work now compensated at a minimum of $100 per hour and in-court work also at the same rate. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for the Public Defender Services to provide an annual report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources, the Foster Care Ombudsman, and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. This report will summarize the legal services provided by panel attorneys serving as guardians ad litem, detailing various metrics such as the average number of cases handled and the duration of child abuse or neglect proceedings.

The bill also includes several provisions regarding the submission and processing of vouchers for attorney fees and expenses. It establishes guidelines for the timely submission of claims, the review process for vouchers, and the notification requirements for any rejections or reductions in compensation. Notably, it ensures that attorneys are not required to disclose privileged client information during these processes. The overall intent of the bill is to enhance the support and compensation for panel attorneys, thereby improving the legal representation provided to eligible clients in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 29-21-13a