The House Judiciary Committee and its subcommittees met to discuss House Bills 4352, 4358, 4044, 4364, and 4169.
House Judiciary
HB 4352 plans to prohibit the usage of cameras in foster children’s bedrooms and bathrooms, unless the cameras are deemed appropriate and necessary by the bill’s exemptions.
HB 4358 is looking to establish a pilot program to provide legal representation for children in juvenile abuse cases. This pilot program will be named the West Virginia Public Guardian ad Litem Services Pilot Program and will function similarly to the West Virginia Public Defender Services. This bill aims to strengthen the structure of Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) and ensure that qualified individuals are focused and understand the role.
House Courts
HB 4044 addresses child welfare by requiring a hair follicle drug test of a child’s abuser before restoring visitation rights.
House Homeland Security
HB 4364 aims to address juvenile jurisdiction and allow the transfer of juveniles back to the state jurisdiction from federal legislative jurisdiction.
House Legal Services
HB 4169 includes plans to align mental health examination requirements with involuntary hospitalization for those who have been prohibited from possessing a firearm. This bill would include physicians, licensed counselors, licensed clinical social workers, nurse practitioners with psychiatric certification, or a physician’s assistant with duties in psychiatric medicine, to provide a certificate of mental health examination for someone to regain their ability to own a firearm
