Senate 542

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2026 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 542

By Senators Deeds, Grady, M. Maynard, Roberts, and Tarr

[Introduced January 20, 2026; referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §49-4-611, relating to the imposition of a time limitation on disposition decisions in child abuse and neglect proceedings.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 4. Court Actions.

§49-4-611. Time limitations for disposition decisions in abuse and neglect proceedings.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, a disposition decision, as set forth in § 49-4-604(c) of this code, shall be rendered by the court no later than 12 months after the date of the ratification of the initial petition.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the court to issue a disposition decision within 12 months of ratification of the initial petition.

The bill was recommended for introduction by the Joint Committee on Children and Families.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.