Healthcare

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5580: Relating to liability of the local emergency telephone systems.

HB 5580 amends West Virginia law to clarify liability protections for local emergency telephone systems. It grants immunity from civil lawsuits for public agencies, telephone companies, and their employees when operating emergency systems or referring callers to the national 988 mental health hotline - except in cases of gross negligence. The bill specifically adds immunity protection for referrals to 988 (the national mental health crisis line) while maintaining that gross negligence remains a basis for liability. This change directly affects emergency call centers, telephone providers, and county emergency services that handle crisis referrals. The law aims to encourage participation in the 988 system without fear of liability for routine operations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGrants liability immunity for 988 mental health hotline referrals, protecting access to crisis services without restricting coverage or funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Public Safety

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5365: Relating to the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers providing services to the Public Employees Insurance Agency.

HB 5365 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that provide prescription drug coverage services to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). The bill amends state code to create a special investigating unit within PEIA and grants the Insurance Commissioner authority to investigate PBM practices. It defines key terms related to PEIA operations and establishes oversight mechanisms for PBMs handling state employee health benefits. This bill directly affects PEIA and its contracted PBM providers, focusing on increasing transparency and accountability in prescription drug benefit management. The legislation is currently in committee review (House Banking and Insurance) after introduction on February 9, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates PBMs to ensure fair practices for state employee health benefits, protecting patient access and rights through oversight mechanisms.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRegulates PBMs to ensure fair prescription drug coverage for state employees via PEIA, protecting a key employment benefit under health insurance oversight.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Employees

Track

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 742: Modifying requirements for involuntary hospitalization

SB 742 modifies West Virginia's involuntary hospitalization process by allowing an authorized hospital physician to place a person under a 72-hour hold without first contacting specific officials (like mental hygiene commissioners). It removes the previous 24-hour deadline for filing a formal petition to extend the hold, instead requiring this petition to be filed within 72 hours. The bill also ensures hospitals and physicians are paid standard rates for these services and are protected from liability when acting in good faith. This directly affects individuals facing involuntary hospitalization for mental illness or addiction and the healthcare providers managing their care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines involuntary mental health hospitalization process, improving timely care access and ensuring provider payment/protection for services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 743: Creating exemption to prescription limitations for mid-level providers

SB 743 creates an exemption from standard opioid prescription limits for mid-level providers (like nurse practitioners and physician assistants) working in hospice care. It requires these providers to be licensed, employed exclusively by licensed hospice providers, and supervised by a physician medical director. The exemption allows them to prescribe Schedule II opioids without the usual 30-day supply limits in hospice settings, while maintaining all other existing prescription rules for non-hospice care. This change specifically applies to hospice patients receiving palliative care, aligning with current exceptions for hospice services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hospice mid-level providers from opioid prescription limits, improving access to pain management in end-of-life care while maintaining safety protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Substance Abuse

Track

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 741: Expanding pilot program to implement involuntary commitment process

SB 741 expands the pilot program for involuntary commitment processes to include additional counties: Cabell, Berkeley, Hampshire, Morgan, Ohio, and Wood. The bill requires mental health centers in these counties to provide timely evaluations (in-person or via video) for potential commitment and explain the process to affected individuals. It also mandates quarterly audits of commitment applications to ensure clinical justification, with findings kept confidential. This bill directly affects mental health centers, courts, law enforcement, and individuals subject to involuntary commitment in the expanded counties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health commitment pilot with timely evaluations and clinical audits, strengthening patient access and rights in mental healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 5301: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Human Services- CHIP from the Unappropriated Balance.

HB 5301 increases funding for West Virginia's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by $871,991 using unused state funds. It specifically adds $422,562 for CHIP administrative costs and $449,429 for CHIP services under the Department of Human Services. This supplemental appropriation draws from the unappropriated balance in the State Fund, General Revenue, to cover existing program expenses during fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change CHIP eligibility or benefits but ensures current funding levels for administration and services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases CHIP funding via unappropriated balance, supporting public health program without tax changes or eligibility changes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases CHIP funding by $871,991 for administrative and service costs, ensuring continued health coverage for children without eligibility changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Children's Health Insurance Medicaid

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 5293: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Human Services - Community Mental Health Services from Federal Block Grants.

HB 5293 is a procedural bill that adjusts existing federal funding allocations for West Virginia's Community Mental Health Services. It shifts $200,000 from the "Federal Coronavirus Pandemic" funding category to the "Personal Services and Employee Benefits" category within the same fiscal year (2026). This reallocation does not add new funding but modifies how existing federal block grant money will be used for staffing and operations. The bill directly affects the Department of Human Services' Community Mental Health Services program, ensuring funds are directed toward personnel costs. It is a routine budget adjustment, not a policy change, and requires no new legislative action beyond the funding realignment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReallocates existing federal funds to cover staffing costs for Community Mental Health Services, ensuring continued operations without new funding or tax changes.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReallocates existing federal funds to staffing for community mental health services, directly supporting operational needs without defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5247: Establishing a pilot program to develop school-based mental and behavioral health services

HB 5247 establishes a three-year pilot program in West Virginia schools to provide mental and behavioral health services as an alternative to suspending students for disruptive behavior. It directly affects students with disruptive behaviors, their families, and participating schools that already operate school-based health centers or have implemented the state's "expanded school mental health framework." Schools in the pilot must offer mental health services through direct hire or contracts, accept referrals from school discipline or courts, conduct assessments, involve families, and bill insurance or the school for services. The program aims to redirect students toward support instead of punishment while ensuring services are available for all levels of need.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects disciplinary actions from suspension to mental health services, reducing school-to-prison pipeline - a criminal justice reform strategy.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a pilot program providing mental health services to replace suspensions for disruptive behavior in K-12 schools, directly enhancing student support and school-based services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes school-based mental health services as alternative to suspensions, directly expanding access to mental health care for students per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

Track

signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 5212: Relating to financial aid for post-secondary education.

HB 5212 revises West Virginia's higher education financial aid programs to improve access and align with workforce development goals. It allows part-time enrollment for the higher education grant, combines the adult part-time grant into a new workforce-focused program, and updates medical/health sciences loan repayment programs to require direct payments to federal loan providers. The bill also adjusts eligibility for the PROMISE scholarship and WV Invests grant programs. These changes aim to better connect financial aid with employer needs as outlined in the bill's legislative findings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevises higher education financial aid to improve access, align with workforce goals, and adjust grant programs for better student support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates medical/health sciences loan repayment programs to require direct payments to federal providers, supporting healthcare workforce development by easing repayment for medical professionals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 5113: Relating to a patient’s right to choose physician

HB 5113 requires healthcare providers in West Virginia to ask patients in advance if they consent to being treated by a medical resident (a doctor in training) or having a resident observe a procedure during routine appointments. If a patient declines, the appointment must be rescheduled with a licensed physician instead, applying only to non-emergency situations. This bill directly affects patients seeking routine care and healthcare facilities, ensuring they can choose their primary provider. Emergency or urgent care is exempt from this requirement, as stated in the bill's provisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by requiring consent for resident treatment, ensuring choice in routine care and access to licensed physicians, aligning with patient autonomy indicators.95% confidence

Track