HB 4196: To offer long-acting reversible contraception to patients receiving methadone and suboxone at the treatment facility for the methadone and suboxone - West Virginia

hb4196 s hhr am _ 2-5 adopted.htm → hb4196 sfat helton _ 2-18 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift its focus from regulating general medication-assisted treatment programs to specifically establishing reversible contraception services for patients recovering from addiction. The new version removes detailed operational requirements for addiction treatment programs, such as medical director qualifications and patient record-keeping, and replaces them with mandates for offering long-acting reversible contraception, including specific counseling and referral protocols.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from regulating the operation of medication-assisted treatment programs to regulating the provision of contraception within those programs.

REQUIREMENT

Removed all existing requirements regarding medical director qualifications, licensing, employee fingerprinting, and detailed patient record-keeping for medication-assisted treatment programs.

Added new requirements mandating that medication-assisted treatment programs offer long-acting reversible contraception to patients recovering from addiction.

Added specific provisions requiring shared decision-making contraceptive counseling that is non-coercive and tailored to patient preferences.

Added a requirement for programs to establish a referral system if they lack a qualified provider or equipment to insert long-acting reversible contraception.

Committee Substitute → hb4196 s hhr am _ 2-5 adopted.htm · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to replace the previous text, shifting the focus from general opioid program licensing to specific operational requirements for medication-assisted treatment programs. The new version introduces detailed mandates for medical director qualifications, staff training, patient record-keeping, and a new requirement for offering long-acting reversible contraception with shared decision-making counseling. It also adds stricter rules regarding physician licensing status, mandatory fingerprinting for all employees, and specific protocols for high-dose buprenorphine treatment.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general licensing procedures to include specific operational standards, staff qualifications, and patient care protocols for medication-assisted treatment programs.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring all employees to undergo state and federal criminal background checks via fingerprinting.

Established detailed qualifications for medical directors, including specific training requirements and rules regarding delegation of duties.

Mandated that programs offer long-acting reversible contraception with non-coercive, shared decision-making counseling tailored to patient needs.

Required physicians to consult with obstetrical or gynecological providers when treating patients who are not their own.

Introduced new rules for high-dose buprenorphine treatment, requiring clear medical notes for dosages exceeding 16 mg per day.

Added requirements for programs to document patient insurance status and obtain insurer denials before billing for treatment.

Replaced the previous license categories (initial, provisional, renewal) with a single licensing and registration framework.

Required programs to maintain specific records including coordination of care agreements signed by patients, physicians, and counselors.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was replaced with a completely different version. The original text focused on operational requirements for medication-assisted treatment programs, while the new text introduces mandatory long-acting reversible contraception offerings, adds new licensing categories, and expands criminal background check requirements for all employees.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general operational requirements to include specific mandates for offering contraception and stricter employee screening.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new mandate requiring opioid treatment programs to offer long-acting reversible contraception to patients, including specific rules for counseling and medical referrals.

Added a requirement for all employees to provide fingerprints for state and federal criminal background checks.

Added new restrictions prohibiting the program from employing physicians whose DEA numbers or licenses are not full, active, and unencumbered.

Modified the medical director requirements to include specific training for partial opioid agonists and expanded the list of required documentation for licensing applications.

Added a requirement for physicians to consult with obstetrical or gynecological providers if they are not the patient's own specialists.

Added a requirement for physicians to document clear clinical reasons if prescribing buprenorphine at doses exceeding 16 milligrams per day.

Added a requirement for physicians to follow manufacturer-recommended tapering schedules for medication-assisted treatment medications.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 4 edits · Mar 2, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled for passage, changing its status from a committee substitute to an official enrolled act. The text was cleaned of navigation artifacts and formatting errors, while retaining the core policy provisions regarding opioid treatment program licensing and the requirement to offer long-acting reversible contraception.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on regulating medication-assisted treatment programs and establishing protocols for offering contraception to patients recovering from addiction.

TIMELINE

The bill's status changed from 'Engrossed Committee Substitute' to 'Enrolled', indicating it has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature.

A specific effective date was added, stating the law goes into effect 90 days after passage (May 21, 2026).

TECHNICAL

Numerous lines containing website navigation links, headers, and formatting artifacts were removed to produce a clean, final legal text.

REQUIREMENT

The description of the bill's purpose was slightly altered in the enrolled version to remove the word 'offering' in the first clause, though the substantive requirements for contraception counseling remain unchanged.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Feb 20, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was significantly amended to expand its scope from solely regulating Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs to also governing Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) and establishing new requirements for offering long-acting reversible contraception. The changes introduce detailed licensing procedures, stricter staff qualifications, mandatory background checks, and specific protocols for contraception counseling and administration to ensure patient safety and informed consent.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) alongside Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, adding new sections on licensing applications, fees, and specific operational requirements for OTPs. Additionally, the bill now mandates that all such programs offer long-acting reversible contraception to patients recovering from addiction.

SCOPE

Added a new section specifically regulating Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP), including detailed rules for license applications, fees, and initial versus renewal licensing categories.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that all opioid and medication-assisted treatment programs offer long-acting reversible contraception to patients recovering from addiction, with specific requirements for non-coercive counseling and medical assessments.

Required all employees of opioid treatment programs to provide fingerprints for state and federal criminal background checks.

Expanded medical director requirements to include specific training on the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 and added restrictions on employing physicians with denied or inactive DEA licenses.

Added new operational protocols requiring programs to maintain detailed patient records, including coordination of care agreements and quarterly reviews of controlled substance databases.

ENFORCEMENT

Established stricter enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to suspend or revoke licenses if a medical director is not practicing at the program and requirements for immediate notification of operational changes.

To offer long-acting reversible contraception to patients receiving methadone and suboxone at the treatment facility for the methadone and suboxone

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