Clarifying powers, duties, and responsibilities of certain public health officials

SB 938 aims to clarify the specific powers, duties, and responsibilities of key public health officials in West Virginia, including the Secretary of the Department of Health, the Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health, and the State Health Officer. The bill proposes amendments to multiple sections of the West Virginia Code (such as §5-14-3, §15-5A-4, and numerous sections in Chapter 16) to better define these officials' roles and responsibilities. This clarification is intended to provide clearer guidance for how these public health leadership positions operate within the state's health system. The bill was introduced in the West Virginia Senate on February 13, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources and the Committee on the Judiciary.