Relating to loss of parental rights after a third petition for a child’s removal

HB 4407 would amend West Virginia law to limit parents in child abuse or neglect cases to three court-ordered improvement periods. If a parent fails to successfully complete the final improvement period after three petitions for child removal, termination of parental rights becomes mandatory. The bill directly affects parents whose children have been removed due to abuse or neglect and who have exhausted three opportunities to improve parenting skills under court supervision. This change modifies existing law to require automatic termination after three failed improvement attempts, providing greater certainty for children in foster care.