The bill amends West Virginia Code §51-11-4 to clarify the jurisdiction of the Intermediate Court of Appeals regarding appeals of adoption orders or decrees. Specifically, it establishes that the Intermediate Court of Appeals does not have appellate jurisdiction over such matters, which is a new provision added to the existing law. This change is part of a broader effort to delineate the types of cases that can be appealed to the Intermediate Court, ensuring that certain family law matters, including adoption, are excluded from its jurisdiction.

In addition to the new provision regarding adoption, the bill outlines various other matters over which the Intermediate Court of Appeals does have jurisdiction, such as final judgments in civil cases, family court orders (with specific exceptions), and decisions from administrative agencies. The bill also specifies that appeals in criminal proceedings, juvenile cases, and child abuse and neglect cases, among others, are not within the court's jurisdiction. This legislative change is set to take effect 90 days after passage, on June 11, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 51-11-4
Enrolled Version: 51-11-4