Plain English Breakdown
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SB542 • 2026
Imposing time limitation on disposition decision in child abuse and neglect proceedings
Imposing time limitation on disposition decision in child abuse and neglect proceedings
Children
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-01-20
S
To Judiciary
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2026-01-20
S
Introduced in Senate
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2026-01-20
S
To Judiciary
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2026-01-20
S
Filed for introduction
Official Summary Text
Imposing time limitation on disposition decision in child abuse and neglect proceedings
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SB 542 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version Senate Bill 542 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION Introduced Senate Bill 542 INTERIM BILL 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. §49-4-6 11. 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. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: