SB 998 creates a loan repayment program targeting mental health professionals who treat children and adolescents in West Virginia. It directly affects licensed providers in fields like clinical psychologists, social workers, and nurse practitioners who meet specific eligibility criteria. The program repays student loans annually based on 12 consecutive months of full-time employment in the state, with a maximum of 10 years of repayment. To qualify, applicants must hold a West Virginia license, have eligible student loans in good standing, and maintain full-time employment in the designated field.
HB 5568 amends West Virginia law to clarify how payments are made for services provided to children in court cases under Chapter 49 (child welfare and family proceedings). It requires courts to order the agency with legal custody of a child to pay for professional services (such as therapy or counseling) at Medicaid rates, or at a higher rate if services aren’t provided within 30 days. The bill also covers "socially necessary services" provided by approved entities, with reimbursement rates set by the Department of Human Services. This ensures state funds are used efficiently by requiring a direct connection between the services and the legal case.
HB 5333 allows patients in West Virginia hospitals to refuse having medical residents or medical students observe or perform their medical care. The bill requires hospitals to create and implement clear policies informing patients of this right before procedures. It directly affects all patients receiving care in participating hospitals, ensuring they can make decisions about who participates in their treatment. The law changes hospital procedures by mandating patient notification, not altering medical standards or care delivery.
SB 844 is a supplemental funding bill that allocates additional federal funds to the West Virginia Department of Human Services for medical services. It increases existing appropriations for "Medical Services" (by $1.373 billion) and "Medical Services Administrative Costs" (by $37 million) under Fund 8722 for fiscal year 2026. This funding uses unspent federal moneys designated for the state's medical programs, directly supporting the department's operations for healthcare services. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts how existing federal funds are applied to current medical service expenditures.
SB 766 creates a nonrefundable tax credit for West Virginia family caregivers of eligible elderly relatives. It allows caregivers to claim a 50% credit on qualifying out-of-pocket expenses (up to $2,000 annually, or $3,000 for veteran caregivers), including home modifications, medical equipment, hiring care aides, respite care, and adult day care. The credit applies to expenses directly related to assisting an eligible family member (62+ years old, living at home, requiring help with daily activities like bathing or dressing, and certified by a healthcare provider). The credit begins for tax years starting January 1, 2028, with a $5 million annual cap on total credits, adjusted annually based on the consumer price index.
SB 1047 creates a non-criminal system to address homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges by requiring law enforcement to issue verbal warnings, then written warnings, and finally refer individuals to community behavioral health centers after three encounters - replacing arrests or citations. The bill sets standards for recovery housing to be substance-free, trauma-informed, and long-term, with specific provisions for family recovery housing supporting pregnant women and mothers with children. It prohibits criminalizing homelessness or addiction, integrates community behavioral health centers with recovery housing services, and mandates an annual report from a state advisory team, all using existing state resources without new funding. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 5241 requires health insurers in West Virginia to cover specific breast cancer screenings starting January 1, 2026. It mandates annual mammograms for women aged 40+ and baseline mammograms for women 30-39, with additional annual screenings for those under 40 who have family history or risk factors. The bill also requires insurers to cover comprehensive ultrasound screenings when mammograms show dense breast tissue (per American College of Radiology guidelines) or for high-risk patients. Additionally, it mandates that mammography facilities notify patients about breast density and associated risks, providing educational materials without creating new legal obligations for providers.
HB 5213 expands West Virginia's involuntary commitment pilot program to include Cabell, Berkeley, Hampshire, Morgan, and Ohio counties. It requires mental health centers to provide timely evaluations (in-person or via video when delays would occur) and explain commitment processes to individuals. The bill mandates quarterly audits of commitment applications to ensure clinical justification and establishes a process to develop standards for alternative transportation providers before they can be used. These changes directly affect mental health centers, courts, law enforcement, and the Department of Human Services in the pilot counties.
HB 5379 requires health insurers in West Virginia to pay out-of-network emergency medical services agencies (like ambulances) directly for covered ground ambulance services, rather than reimbursing patients. Insurers must pay "clean claims" (properly submitted claims without errors) within 30 days of receipt, with exceptions for fraud, coordination with other insurers, or prior payment. The bill also mandates that insurers provide written notice within 30 days if denying a claim, specifying the reason or needed additional information. This directly affects ambulance providers who previously relied on patient reimbursement and insurers who must adjust payment processes. The law aims to streamline payment for emergency services while reducing patient financial burden.
HB 5290 adds $250,000 to "Personal Services and Employee Benefits" and $250,000 to "Equipment" within the Department of Health's Laboratory Services Fund (Fund 5163) for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation reallocates unspent funds from the current fiscal year to cover specific lab staffing and equipment costs. The bill directly affects the Department of Health’s laboratory services operations by providing additional funding for existing budget categories. It does not create new programs or policies but adjusts spending within an existing fund for the 2026 fiscal year. The bill was introduced on February 6, 2026, and referred to the House Finance Committee.
