RE: Request for Public Comment and Provisional Approval of Proposed Amendments to certain Guardian Ad Litem Rules for Family Court: By order entered March 8, 2017, the Court has provisionally approved proposed amendments to the rules governing guardians ad litem in family court, and will accept public comment on the amendments through April 10, 2017. The amendments are necessary because guardians ad litem should not routinely be appointed in family court cases.

IN RE: RULE 33 OF THE WEST VIRGINIA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE: By order entered November 4, 2016, the Court approves amendments to Rule 33 of the West Virginia Rules of Appellate Procedure. The amendments are necessary to properly cite to Canon 2, Rule 2.11 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, as amended by order entered November 12, 2015, effective December 1, 2015.

IN RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RULE 23, CLASS ACTIONS, OF THE WEST VIRGINIA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE: by order entered October 25, 2016, a proposed amendment to The West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure is being published for comment. The proposed amendment to Rule 23, Class Actions, Rules of Civil Procedure provides for disbursement of residual funds. Comments must be filed in writing on or before January 31, 2017.

RE: ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO THE RULES FOR ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW: By order entered October 25, 2016, an amendment to The Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law was approved and adopted to permit the temporary practice of law in West Virginia by the attorney spouses of active service members assigned to a permanent duty station in West Virginia, commonly referred to as "Military Spouse Rule". The proposed amendment was published for comment period closed on December 15, 2015. Comments were received by Robert F. Bible, Lewis G. Brewer and Josie Beets.

RE: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES FOR ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW: By order entered October 5, 2016, amendments to The Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law were approved and adopted to implement the Uniform Bar Examination and other changes. The proposed amendments were published for comment and the comment period closed August 8, 2016. No comments were received.

RE: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO RULE 6 OF THE RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CIVIL PROCEEDINGS: By order entered October 5, 2016, amendments to Rule 6 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Domestic Violence Civil Proceedings were approved and adopted to address confidentiality of records involving minors. The proposed amendments were published for comment and the comment period closed on July 5, 2016. No comments were received.

RE: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO RULES 17(a) AND 32(a) OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS: By order entered September 14, 2016, amendments to Rule 17(a) and 32(a) of the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings were approved and adopted. Rule 17(a) was amended to encourage the use of co-petitions and Rule 32(a) was amended to be consistent with the time period in W.Va. Code § 49-4-610(8)(B). The proposed amendments were published for comment and the comment period closed August 15, 2016. No comments were received.

RE: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO RULE 39(c) OF THE RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE: By order entered September 14, 2016, an amendment to Rule 39(c) of the Rules of Juvenile Procedure was approved and adopted to be consistent with W.Va. Code § 49-4-714(b)(5)(C). The proposed amendment was published for comment and the comment period closed on August 15, 2016. No comments were received.

RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON ADDITION TO THE WEST VIRGINIA TRIAL COURT RULES: By order entered on September 14, 2016, a proposed amendment to the Trial Court Rules is being published for comment. The proposal adds Rule 18, in response to recently enacted W.Va. Code § 62-6B-6(c) to provide greater confidentiality of recorded interviews of children in certain circumstances.

IN RE: WEST VIRGINIA TRIAL COURT RULES: By order entered on September 13, 2016, the Court approves amendments to Rule 17 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules. The amendments are necessary to properly cite to Canon 2, Rule 2.11 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, as amended by order November 12, 2015, effective December 1, 2015.