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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill 4603 establishes pre-adjudicatory alternative diversions for child abuse and neglect cases
Last action · March 13, 2026: Senate requests House to concurSponsors: Adam Burkhammer and 8 others
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What This Bill Would Do
West Virginia House Bill 4603 establishes a process, allowing parents in abuse and neglect cases to consent to a guardianship placement in lieu of an adjudication of abuse and neglect. The measure details procedures for minor guardianships, exempts such guardianships from bonding requirements, outlines record sealing and expungement timelines, and permits guardians to petition for adoption after two years.
The measure alters legal procedures for families facing child welfare interventions by providing an alternative diversion path that avoids formal abuse and neglect findings while establishing structured guardianship, record-sealing, and potential adoption pathways for minors.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Parents and guardians involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings
Parents gain the option to seek a pre-adjudicatory alternative diversion, stipulate to facts, avoid formal abuse findings under certain conditions, and face specific requirements for sealing records and petitioning for adoption.
Department of Human Services
The department is required to evaluate diversion motions, submit written recommendations, consent to guardianships under specified standards, and manage record-sealing and expungement provisions.
Minors subject to abuse and neglect proceedings
Children are subject to guardianship placements, court-ordered evaluations, potential adoption petitions after two years, and continued services ordered by the court.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pre-adjudicatory alternative diversion?
Are all parents eligible for a pre-adjudicatory alternative diversion?
When can a guardian appointed through this process file for adoption?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
33 actions- Mar 13, 2026SenateSenate requests House to concur
- Mar 13, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate (Roll No. 543)
- Mar 13, 2026SenateRead 3rd time
- Mar 13, 2026SenateOn 3rd reading
- Mar 12, 2026SenateCommittee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Mar 12, 2026SenateRead 2nd time
Show 27 earlier actions
- Mar 12, 2026SenateOn 2nd reading
- Mar 11, 2026SenateRead 1st time
- Mar 11, 2026SenateImmediate consideration
- Mar 11, 2026SenateCommitteeReported do pass, with amendment
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Feb 25, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Feb 24, 2026HouseCommunicated to Senate
- Feb 24, 2026HouseTitle amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Feb 24, 2026HouseFloorPassed House (Roll No. 170)
- Feb 24, 2026HouseRead 3rd time
- Feb 24, 2026HouseOn 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 23, 2026HouseAmendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Feb 23, 2026HouseAmendment reported by the Clerk
- Feb 23, 2026HouseRead 2nd time
- Feb 23, 2026HouseOn 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 20, 2026HouseRead 1st time
- Feb 20, 2026HouseOn 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 19, 2026HouseBy substitute, do pass
- Feb 2, 2026HouseMarkup Discussion
- Jan 30, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Judiciary
- Jan 29, 2026HouseMarkup Discussion
- Jan 28, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Courts
- Jan 20, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Judiciary
- Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Jan 20, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Judiciary
- Jan 20, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Introduction of Pre-Adjudicatory Diversions in Child Welfare
The legislation establishes a formal statutory pathway to resolve child abuse and neglect petitions through consented guardianships rather than formal adjudication findings.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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