This bill amends West Virginia Code §48-27-301 to establish a pilot domestic violence court in Kanawha County. It mandates that the Supreme Court of Appeals shall assign appropriate judicial officers to this court, which will have jurisdiction over various misdemeanor domestic violence offenses involving family or household members, as well as civil and criminal domestic violence protective order proceedings. The bill specifies that the judicial officers assigned can be current or senior circuit judges, family court judges, temporary family court judges, or magistrates.

Additionally, the bill requires the Supreme Court of Appeals to maintain statistical data to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the domestic violence court. It also stipulates that the Supreme Court must report on the program's efficacy to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates before the regular legislative sessions in 2027 and 2028. The bill aims to enhance the judicial response to domestic violence cases in Kanawha County by creating a specialized court to address these issues more effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 48-27-301