Healthcare

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

HB 4196: To offer long-acting reversible contraception to patients receiving methadone and suboxone at the treatment facility for the methadone and suboxone

HB 4196 requires licensed medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs in West Virginia to offer long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), such as IUDs or implants, to patients receiving methadone or suboxone for substance use treatment. This applies to all facilities providing these services under the state's licensing framework, adding it as a standard requirement to existing operational rules. The bill directly affects MAT facilities, which must now integrate LARC options into their care protocols, and patients using methadone or suboxone at these locations. It creates a concrete policy change by mandating access to these contraceptive methods without requiring additional patient steps.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates MAT facilities to offer LARC services, expanding patient access to reproductive healthcare within substance use treatment programs, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Women's Health

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 399: Creating Bring Them Home Fund

SB 399 creates the "Bring Them Home Fund" to finance renovating state-owned properties for in-state residential treatment services for children requiring acute psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, or trauma care. The fund, managed by West Virginia's Department of Human Services, will be used to expand local child welfare capacity and reduce reliance on out-of-state placements, which are more expensive and disrupt family connections. Funding sources include legislative appropriations, grants, donations, and investment income, with savings from fewer out-of-state placements to be reinvested. The bill authorizes the Department to collaborate with state agencies and private entities to repurpose properties and develop treatment programs matching the needs of children historically placed out-of-state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates fund using legislative appropriations to expand child welfare services, directly advancing public funding allocation for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates fund for in-state mental health treatment services, expanding access and reducing costly out-of-state placements for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 4413: Making syringe exchange service programs unlawful

HB 4413 bans syringe exchange programs in West Virginia by making them unlawful under new law, requiring all existing programs to cease operations by the effective date. It allows harm reduction services (like overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and referrals to treatment) to continue without needle exchanges during a 120-day transition period for patient care. Operators who continue syringe exchanges after the effective date face daily civil penalties of up to $2,500, and the state health office can seek court orders to enforce the ban. The bill specifically prohibits offering sterile needles without a prescription, while permitting other health services that don’t involve syringe exchanges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans syringe exchanges - harm reduction service tied to criminal justice reform - restricting a key public health strategy to reduce drug-related offenses.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBans syringe exchange programs, a key public health initiative for harm reduction, restricting access to a proven healthcare service that prevents disease transmission.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 4742: Creating a poster providing contact information and resource information on veteran benefits and services

HB 4742 requires employers with over 50 full-time employees in West Virginia to display a mandatory poster in workplaces and on websites. The poster, created by the Division of Labor working with the Department of Veterans' Assistance, lists contact details and descriptions for eight key veteran resources, including mental health services, education programs, tax benefits, and the VA Crisis Line. This law directly affects large employers by mandating visible access to veteran support information for employees. The bill focuses on making existing veteran resources more accessible through a standardized, widely distributed informational tool.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employer display of mental health services contact info, facilitating access to veteran mental health resources as part of required veteran benefits poster.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates employers to display veteran resource posters including mental health, education, tax benefits, and VA Crisis Line access, directly improving veterans' access to existing support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4294: Relating to authorizing the Medical Imaging Technologists to promulgate a legislative rule relating to the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners.

HB 4294 authorizes the Medical Imaging Technologists to issue a specific rule (18 CSR 01) governing the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners. This rule, initially proposed in June 2025 and revised in August 2025 to address legislative committee feedback, is now formally approved by the bill. The rule will establish standards for the Board’s oversight of licensing and practice for medical imaging and radiation therapy technologists in West Virginia. It does not change the rule’s content but grants it official status without requiring further legislative action.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards for medical imaging technologists, ensuring qualified professionals in healthcare services.85% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 39: Requiring heart health program in grades three through six

SB 39 requires West Virginia public schools with students in grades three through six to implement a heart health program. The program must include 12 consecutive weeks of nutrition and aerobic exercise education annually, delivered through flexible formats like books, digital tools, or in-person classes. Schools must align the program with state health standards, track student participation, and report data to the state education department. This directly affects all public schools serving grades three through six in West Virginia, mandating specific health education requirements during the school day.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates heart health programs in K-12 schools, enhancing student wellness through required curriculum and alignment with state education standards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires heart health education in K-12 schools, promoting preventive public health measures through nutrition/exercise programs aligned with state health standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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

HB 4474: Extending the Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council sunset date.

HB 4474 extends the expiration date of West Virginia's Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council, which was scheduled to sunset. The bill prevents the council from automatically dissolving by renewing its operational period. The council, composed of 15 voting members (including people with dementia, caregivers, healthcare providers, and researchers) and 5 nonvoting government representatives, examines dementia care needs, reviews state services, and assesses healthcare capacity. It does not create new policies but ensures the council can continue its work on dementia-related issues. This procedural bill affects only the council's continued operation, not direct service recipients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Alzheimer's advisory council to maintain oversight of dementia care services, healthcare capacity reviews, and state service assessments, supporting continuous healthcare evaluation.85% confidence

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

HB 4807: Relating generally to the creation of mental hygiene regions by the Supreme Court of Appeals

HB 4807 restructures West Virginia's mental health commitment system by creating mental hygiene regions under the Supreme Court of Appeals, replacing the previous commissioner structure. It requires all mental health evaluations and hearings for involuntary commitment to be conducted via video technology (with facilities providing required equipment), mandates 24/7 examiner coverage in each region including weekends, and limits civil commitments to 120 days without a hearing. The bill also establishes a temporary observation release option, grants civil immunity to providers in involuntary proceedings (with exceptions), and requires hearings for commitments exceeding 90 days. This directly affects mental health patients undergoing involuntary commitment, providers conducting evaluations, and courts managing these proceedings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestructures mental health system with 24/7 examiner coverage and 120-day commitment limits, improving patient access and rights in mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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

HB 4643: Relating to liability shield products

HB 4643 establishes regulatory requirements for "liability shield products" (medical, pharmaceutical, biological, or technological products already immune from federal liability). It requires manufacturers to conduct five-year placebo-controlled studies, track adverse outcomes using West Virginia's health network and VAERS, and publish safety data publicly. The bill grants individuals the right to refuse these products and imposes civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation for noncompliance with study, reporting, or refusal requirements. Enforcement begins January 1, 2032, with the Attorney General or affected individuals able to pursue legal action. This applies directly to manufacturers distributing such products in West Virginia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates safety studies, adverse outcome tracking, and public data for medical products, enhancing patient safety and transparency in healthcare products.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4296: Relating to authorizing the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners to promulgate a legislative rule relating to standards of ethics.

HB 4296 authorizes the Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners to promulgate a legislative rule (18 CSR 05) establishing ethics standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy technologists. This rule was previously drafted by the board, modified to address legislative committee feedback, and refilled in the State Register. The bill does not change the rule's content but formally grants the board authority to implement it.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes ethics standards for medical technologists, enhancing professional accountability and patient safety in healthcare services.85% confidence

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