Healthcare

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 273: Department of Health rule relating to diabetes self-management education

SB 273 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Health to implement a specific rule (64 CSR 115) regarding diabetes self-management education programs. The bill formally approves a legislative rule previously filed in the State Register on July 25, 2025, which outlines requirements for these education programs. This rule directly affects the Department of Health, which will use it to regulate diabetes self-management education services. The bill does not create new requirements but legally validates an existing rule to ensure its enforceability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareApproves regulatory rule (64 CSR 115) for diabetes self-management education programs, enabling structured patient education and access to care under Department of Health oversight.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4717: Supplemental Appropriation for Rural Health Transformation Program

HB 4717 adds $199.48 million in federal funds to West Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly affects the Department of Health's Central Office (fund 8802, org 0506) by providing additional funding for the program. The bill supplements existing appropriations using unspent federal moneys remaining for the 2026 fiscal year, specifically to support rural health initiatives as outlined in the program's purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $199.48M federal funds to rural health program, increasing public service funding using unspent federal moneys.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds $199.48M federal funds to rural health program, directly increasing healthcare funding for rural initiatives as specified in bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 4302: Relating to authorizing the Board of Optometry to promulgate a legislative rule relating to licensure by reciprocity.

HB 4302 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Optometry to implement a specific administrative rule (14 CSR 08) for optometrists seeking licensure through reciprocity with other states. The bill formally approves a rule the Board previously developed, modified to address legislative committee concerns, which governs how out-of-state licenses may be recognized. This affects optometrists applying for West Virginia licensure without retaking exams, streamlining the process for qualified professionals moving between states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines optometry licensure reciprocity, improving access to eye care services by enabling out-of-state professionals to practice without retaking exams.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 448: Relating to brain injury screening training

SB 448 requires West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation to train staff to screen all incoming and currently incarcerated individuals for brain injuries by July 1, 2028. The bill mandates that screening processes be developed with input from a specific study group focused on competency and criminal responsibility. It also requires the Division of Corrections, Division of Rehabilitation Services, and Department of Veterans Assistance to create a memorandum of understanding with this study group to share confidential health records for research purposes. The law directly affects incarcerated individuals through mandatory screenings and correctional staff through required training and data-sharing protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires brain injury screening in corrections to address competency/criminal responsibility, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through targeted care.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates brain injury screening for incarcerated individuals, improving access to health services within correctional facilities per healthcare-related subject.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4856: Requiring that all state agency P-card rebates received must go toward stabilizing the PEIA fund

HB 4856 requires all rebates from state agency purchasing cards (P-cards) to be directed entirely to the PEIA Rainy Day Fund, replacing current allocations. Currently, rebates are split between multiple funds (e.g., Purchasing Improvement Fund, Entrepreneurship Fund, Hatfield-McCoy Authority, and State Parks), but this bill eliminates those other transfers. The bill amends WV Code §12-3-10d to mandate that all remaining rebate funds - after any necessary operational costs - be transferred to the PEIA fund within three days of receipt. This directly affects state agencies using P-cards, as their card spending rebates will now solely support the PEIA fund’s stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects P-card rebates to PEIA Rainy Day Fund for fiscal stability, strengthening fund management per bill's explicit mandate.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects P-card rebates to PEIA Rainy Day Fund, stabilizing state employee health insurance fund (PEIA is public health insurance program for state workers).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4655: Expand the grade level for Laken’s Law

HB 4655 expands West Virginia's Laken's Law to require annual substance abuse education about fentanyl, heroin, and opioids for students in grades 3-12, instead of the current 6-12 range. The bill mandates that all public schools teach five specific topics annually, including awareness of opioids, use of opioid reversal agents, prevention of addiction, community resources, and health education on youth substance use. This expansion would take effect for grades 3-5 starting in the 2026-2027 school year, while the existing grades 6-12 requirement continues. The law directly affects all public school students in these grade levels through mandated classroom instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands mandatory substance abuse curriculum to grades 3-12, enhancing student health education programs through required annual instruction on opioid prevention and resources.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual substance abuse education on opioids and reversal agents in schools, directly supporting public health prevention efforts to reduce addiction and improve youth health outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4827: Provide an increase in salary to WV Birth to Three contracted therapists and employees

HB 4827 increases payments by 25% for therapists and other professionals contracted through West Virginia's Birth-to-Three program who are *not* state employees. This change applies to services provided starting July 1, 2026, and is funded through the existing West Virginia Birth-to-Three Fund. The bill specifically targets contracted providers, not state agency employees, and modifies §16-5K-6 of the code to implement this payment adjustment. The fund sources include legislative appropriations, transfers from health divisions, private donations, and client fees. This is a direct payment increase for contracted service providers under the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases payments to contracted therapists via existing fund, strengthening essential program funding without new taxes or budget cuts.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases 25% payments for healthcare therapists in WV Birth-to-Three program, strengthening provider compensation within public health services.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4124: To require baby food manufacturers to provide information about the quantity of or percentage of different types of heavy metals in baby food

HB 4124 requires baby food manufacturers selling in West Virginia to test for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury (toxic elements) in each production batch starting January 1, 2027. Manufacturers must test at accredited labs, publicly post test results on their website for the product’s shelf life plus one month, and include a QR code on labels linking to this information and FDA guidance. This applies to all baby food (excluding infant formula) packaged for infants and children under two years old. The bill aims to increase transparency about heavy metal levels in products sold within the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates testing for toxic metals in baby food to protect infant health, directly advancing public health safety within healthcare policy framework.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4614: Relating to statewide prevention plan.

HB 4614 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DoHS) to develop and implement a statewide prevention plan by January 1, 2027. The plan must provide evidence-based, trauma-informed services to children under 18 and their families - including those in foster care, youth aging out of foster care, pregnant youth, post-adoption youth, and families with specific needs - through a mix of physical locations and telehealth. DoHS must track service outcomes, report annually starting December 2027 on county-level service reach and costs, and seek federal funding to support these services. The bill focuses on expanding accessible prevention support for vulnerable youth and families without creating new funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates trauma-informed mental health services via telehealth and physical locations for children/families, advancing prevention programs under public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 2, 2026

HB 4907: Restricting the use of pesticides

HB 4907 restricts the use of specific pesticides near schools in West Virginia. It prohibits applying pesticides containing paraquat, atrazine, dicamba, chlorpyrifos, 2,4-D, glyphosate, or PFAS chemicals within 1,000 feet of any school property. The law defines the 1,000-foot distance as measured from the school’s closest boundary point to the spraying area. This rule takes effect on January 1, 2027, directly affecting pesticide applicators working near schools.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts harmful pesticides near schools, reducing chemical pollution and protecting children/environment from toxins like glyphosate and PFAS.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts pesticides linked to health risks near schools, preventing exposure to harmful chemicals and aligning with public health protection under healthcare topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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