West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB4568: Clarifying abuse of process
Status: Passed one chamber, February 18, 2026
What the bill says
To amend and reenact §51-2A-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; relating to the powers of family court judges; and creating a definition of abuse of process. ARTICLE 2A. FAMILY COURTS. §51-2A-7. Powers; administrative and judicial functions of family court judge. (a) The family court judge will exercise any power or authority provided in this article, in chapter forty-eight 48 of this code or as otherwise provided by general law. Additionally, the family court judge has the authority (2) Summon witnesses and compel their attendance in court; (3) Exercise reasonable control.
From the engrossed text, February 12, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact §51-2A-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; relating to the powers of family court judges; and creating a definition of abuse of process. ARTICLE 2A. FAMILY COURTS. §51-2A-7. Powers; administrative and judicial functions of family court judge. (a) The family court judge will exercise any power or authority provided in this article, in chapter forty-eight 48 of this code or as otherwise provided by general law. Additionally, the family court judge has the authority (2) Summon witnesses and compel their attendance in court; (3) Exercise reasonable control over discovery; (4) Compel and supervise the production of evidence, including criminal background investigations when appropriate; (5) Discipline attorneys; (6) Prevent abuse of process; and (7) Correct errors in a record. (b) The family court judge has responsibility for the supervision and administration of the family court. A family court judge may promulgate local administrative rules governing the conduct and administration of the family court. In family court circuits with more than one family court judge, all family court judges must agree to the rules. If all of the family court judges in a family court circuit cannot agree, the chief judge of each circuit court in the counties in which the family court circuit is located shall promulgate the local administrative rules. If …