WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 2973

By Delegates C. Pritt and Kump

[Introduced January 24, 2023; Referred to the Committee on Senior, Children, and Family Issues then the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §48-22-3, relating to providing that a guardian ad litem may not be appointed in an adoption proceeding when both birth parents have signed proper relinquishments.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 22. ADOPTION.

§48-22-803.   No appointment of a guardian ad litem when both birth parents have signed a relinquishment.

In a proceeding for adoption, a guardian ad litem may not be appointed by the court if both birth parents have signed a relinquishment in accordance with and meeting all of the requirements of §48-22-305 of this code.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide that a guardian ad litem may not be appointed in an adoption proceeding when both birth parents have signed proper relinquishments.

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