West Virginia HB4986 modifies abandonment findings in adoption proceedings, including presumptions of abandonment for incarcerated parents and those.

West Virginia HB4986 amends the state's child welfare laws to provide additional grounds for abandonment findings in adoption proceedings. The bill presumes abandonment when a birth parent fails to financially support or visit their child, especially if the parent is incarcerated. It also presumes abandonment if the birth father denounces paternity after conception or if the parent has been convicted of certain crimes against children. The court must consider various factors, including the child's age and the parent's history of criminal behavior, when determining abandonment.

West Virginia HB4986 modifies abandonment findings in adoption proceedings, including presumptions of abandonment for incarcerated parents and those.

West Virginia HB4986 amends the state's child welfare laws to provide additional grounds for abandonment findings in adoption proceedings. The bill presumes abandonment when a birth parent fails to financially support or visit their child, especially if the parent is incarcerated. It also presumes abandonment if the birth father denounces paternity after conception or if the parent has been convicted of certain crimes against children. The court must consider various factors, including the child's age and the parent's history of criminal behavior, when determining abandonment.