Updating time frame for scheduling of hearing on petition for eviction

Senate Bill 641 (SB 641) updates West Virginia's eviction process by requiring courts to schedule a hearing for eviction petitions within five to 10 judicial days of filing, rather than allowing delays. This change directly affects landlords (who file eviction petitions) and tenants (who receive notice of the hearing) in residential rental disputes. The bill modifies existing law to ensure hearings occur more promptly after a petition is submitted, eliminating the current requirement for petitioners to first request a hearing date. This is a procedural adjustment focused solely on streamlining the timeline for eviction proceedings, without altering the grounds for eviction or tenant defenses.