HB 5109 updates West Virginia's regulations for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by clarifying key definitions and duties in the Pharmacy Audit Integrity Act. The bill directly affects pharmacies, PBMs, health benefit plans, and patients by standardizing terms like "pharmacy benefits management" (which includes claims processing, network management, and rebate administration) and defining "affiliate" relationships to prevent conflicts of interest. Key mechanisms include requiring clear disclosure of how PBMs determine reimbursement rates (like "maximum allowable cost") and restricting certain ownership ties between PBMs and pharmacies. The changes aim to increase transparency in prescription drug pricing and billing practices without altering coverage rules. This is a definitional update, not a new benefit or funding measure.
HB 5092 clarifies definitions and eligibility rules for West Virginia's medical cannabis program. It revises the definition of "patient" to require a serious medical condition, meeting certification requirements, and state residency, while updating terms like "certified medical use" and "caregiver." The bill focuses on standardizing terminology in existing law rather than changing who qualifies for medical cannabis. It does not establish new eligibility criteria or alter access for current patients. This definitional update aims to improve consistency in how the program's rules are applied.
HB 5139 authorizes municipal fire departments in West Virginia to use specialized license plates. The bill amends existing law to require these plates to feature blue lettering on a white background with "West Virginia" on top and a fire department insignia, using reflectorized material (as specified in §17A-3-23(d)(2)). This directly affects municipal fire departments by providing a distinct plate design to identify their vehicles, separate from law enforcement or other government vehicle plates. The policy change is limited to the plate design and identification requirements, with no new fees or funding specified.
HB 5093 allows individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies to work in licensed behavioral health facilities after completing their criminal sentences, provided they meet conditions set by new rules. The West Virginia Department of Health must create these rules for legislative approval, focusing on patient and staff safety while not overriding existing professional licensing requirements under Chapter 30. The bill directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment in this sector and facilities that hire them. It requires specific safety-focused regulations but does not change current licensing standards for regulated professions.
HB 5130 creates a civil legal remedy for West Virginia residents whose intimate images (such as photos showing uncovered genitals, pubic areas, or sexual conduct) are shared without their consent. It allows affected individuals to sue if they suffered harm from an intentional disclosure they did not consent to, the image was private, and they were identifiable. The bill includes exceptions for disclosures to law enforcement, reporting unlawful conduct, or matters of public interest, while protecting plaintiffs' privacy through sealed court filings. Remedies include compensation for economic damages, emotional distress, and other harms caused by the unauthorized sharing.
HB 5133 would amend West Virginia law to allow any voter aged 65 or older to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide additional justification beyond their age. This change directly affects West Virginia residents 65 and older who face mobility challenges that prevent in-person voting. The bill adds "extreme advanced age" as a qualifying reason under existing absentee voting provisions, specifically listing it as a new option in subsection (b)(8) alongside medical conditions and other circumstances. It does not create new voting methods or change deadlines - it simply expands who qualifies for current absentee voting rules. The bill focuses on making absentee voting accessible for older voters with age-related mobility limitations.
HB 5104 requires parolees or probationers identified through a standardized risk assessment as having a history of substance abuse to participate in approved support services for a minimum of 60 days. This applies specifically to individuals under supervision whose assessment (mandated under §62-12-6) confirms substance abuse history. The bill adds this as a mandatory condition of release under §62-12-17(a)(4), with participation schedules approved by probation or parole officers. It directly affects individuals on parole or probation in West Virginia whose substance abuse history is documented via the court-mandated assessment process.
HB 5077 requires all health insurance policies in West Virginia (including group plans, public employee coverage, and hospital plans) issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to cover medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatment. It defines "medically necessary" as care meeting established clinical standards, being appropriate in type/duration, and not primarily benefiting insurers. The law prohibits insurers from using arbitrary "discretionary clauses" to deny such coverage. This directly affects all West Virginians with health insurance by mandating comprehensive coverage for these conditions.
HB 5152 prohibits public utilities from disconnecting residential electricity, gas, or water services during a state of emergency declared by the governor. It requires utilities to offer residential customers a payment plan to cover overdue bills without late fees or penalties, and to restore service within 48 hours for those disconnected during the emergency. The bill also bans disconnections for 180 days after the emergency ends for customers facing financial hardship due to the emergency. Utilities must notify customers about these protections and make reasonable efforts to contact affected households to provide payment plan options.
HB 5073 allows deputy sheriffs to retain their seniority when transferring to vacant positions in another county, provided they have not committed wrongdoing at their previous county. This directly affects deputy sheriffs moving between sheriff's offices within West Virginia. The key provision states that seniority transfers with the deputy unless they were found responsible for misconduct in their prior county. The bill amends existing civil service rules to clarify this transfer process while maintaining that promotions are based on merit and competitive examinations.
HB 5146 would amend West Virginia's drug scheduling law to remove marijuana, psilocybin, and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) from Schedule I, the most restrictive category for controlled substances. This change would move these substances to a less restrictive classification under the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The bill directly affects how these specific substances are legally treated in West Virginia, removing their current Schedule I status. It does not address medical or recreational use but changes their regulatory classification. The bill was introduced by Delegate Young and referred to the Health and Human Resources and Judiciary committees.
HB 5112 prohibits any West Virginia law from requiring residents to receive or use medical products, such as vaccines or treatments. It directly affects all West Virginia residents and ensures no penalties (like fines) or loss of benefits (such as services or programs) can be imposed for refusing a medical product or declining to disclose its use. The bill amends health code §16-3-1 to state that no law may coerce medical product use, penalize refusal, or deny benefits based on refusal or disclosure. This applies broadly to all medical products under state law, not limited to specific treatments. The law would override existing or future state mandates requiring medical products during public health emergencies.
