Healthcare

vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 4626: Relating to the establishment of a grant program to fund the United States Food and Drug Administration’s drug development trials with ibogaine

HB 4626 establishes a West Virginia grant program to fund U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug development trials using ibogaine, a substance being studied for treating opioid use disorder and other neurological/mental health conditions. The program requires applicants (e.g., pharmaceutical companies or research organizations) to demonstrate capacity to conduct FDA trials, secure approval for ibogaine as a medication, and commit to establishing a state presence, securing insurance coverage, and ensuring treatment access for uninsured patients. Applicants must submit detailed trial designs, safety protocols, and plans for intellectual property rights and post-approval implementation, with grants administered through a state selection committee. The bill does not approve ibogaine but aims to accelerate its development pathway through state-funded trials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds FDA trials for ibogaine treatment of opioid/mind health conditions, advancing healthcare research and access through grant program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

HB 4721: Relating to drugs and adding a provision relating to the scheduling of crystalline polymorph psilocybin approved by the Food and Drug Administration

HB 4721 would amend West Virginia's drug scheduling law to automatically remove a specific form of psilocybin - crystalline polymorph psilocybin - from Schedule I if approved by the FDA and DEA for medical use. This change would apply only to the crystalline form of psilocybin that receives federal approval, not to other forms or uses of psilocybin. The bill creates a direct pathway for this specific approved form to be legally accessible for medical purposes without requiring additional state legislation. It does not change current restrictions on other psilocybin forms or recreational use.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables medical access to FDA-approved psilocybin, expanding treatment options for mental health services under healthcare policy.92% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 189: Relating to certified professional midwives

SB 189 establishes a licensing framework for certified professional midwives (CPMs) in West Virginia, requiring a license from the West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses to practice midwifery or use the title "licensed midwife." The bill defines key terms like "midwife," "licensed midwife," and "collaboration" with physicians, clarifying that midwives provide primary maternity care but must refer clients needing higher medical care. It sets requirements for licensure, continuing education, temporary permits, and prohibits unlicensed practice, while outlining responsibilities for midwives including client confidentiality and proper referrals. This bill directly affects midwives seeking to legally practice and their clients by creating standardized regulations for midwifery care in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing for midwives, enabling regulated practice and improving access to maternity care services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Women's Health

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

HB 4681: To create state civil liability for pharmaceutical companies for vaccine injuries from the Covid 19 vaccines

HB 4681 would allow West Virginia residents injured by Covid-19 vaccines to sue pharmaceutical companies for damages without limits on the amount they can recover. Currently, drug manufacturers typically avoid liability for vaccine injuries by providing warnings to healthcare providers (the "learned intermediary" rule), but this bill removes that protection specifically for Covid-19 vaccines. The law change would let injured individuals seek full compensation in court for vaccine-related harm. This exception applies only to Covid-19 vaccines and does not affect liability rules for other drugs or medical devices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves pharmaceutical liability protection for vaccine injuries, enabling patients to seek full compensation and directly protecting patient rights under healthcare policies.95% confidence

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 548: Requiring transparency of dental health care insurance products

This bill requires West Virginia dental insurance companies to publicly report how much of each premium dollar is spent on actual dental care versus administrative costs, using a standardized format similar to federal requirements. It mandates annual transparency reports showing medical loss ratios (the minimum percentage of premiums spent on care), allows consumers to compare insurers online, and requires rebates to policyholders if less than 80% of premiums fund patient care. The law also prohibits insurers from forcing dentists to accept only credit card payments with fees and ensures clear payment method options. It directly affects dental insurers, dentists, and dental insurance customers in West Virginia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires dental insurers to disclose premium spending on care vs admin, mandates rebates for low medical loss ratios, enhancing consumer transparency and accountability in healthcare insurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 677: Relating to professionals licensed by WV Board of Medicine

SB 677 establishes a new licensing framework for genetic counselors in West Virginia, requiring a valid license to practice and mandating criminal background checks for all applicants. It prohibits genetic counselors from representing themselves as licensed physicians, with violations punishable by up to two years in prison or a $2,000 fine. The bill also sets continuing education requirements, defines the scope of practice for genetic counselors, and creates separate disciplinary procedures under the West Virginia Board of Medicine.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates genetic counselors to ensure qualified practitioners, enhancing patient safety and professional standards within healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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

HB 4982: Make West Virginia Healthy Act of 2026

HB 4982 reestablishes West Virginia's statewide Healthy Lifestyles program, creating the Office of Healthy Lifestyles within the Department of Health. It directly affects all West Virginia residents, particularly Medicaid members with nutrition-related chronic diseases (like obesity or diabetes), by expanding access to "Food Is Medicine" services such as nutrition counseling, medically tailored meals, and grocery provisions. Key provisions include requiring the Bureau for Medical Services to design nutrition-based interventions to reduce healthcare costs, establishing a Healthy Lifestyle Coalition with 13 members to coordinate state and community efforts, and mandating physical fitness initiatives in schools. The bill also repeals previous program sections and adds new rules to promote nutritious food access and prevent diet-related diseases.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReestablishes Healthy Lifestyles program expanding nutrition services (counseling, meals) for Medicaid patients with chronic diseases, directly improving healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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

HB 4819: Relating to use of criminal records as disqualification from authorization to practice a particular profession

HB 4819 would change West Virginia's licensing rules for professions requiring state authorization. It prevents disqualification for most past criminal convictions unless the crime directly relates to the profession's duties and poses a clear public risk. Licensing agencies must now consider factors like the crime's nature, time passed since conviction, and evidence of rehabilitation (such as completed treatment or employment history) before denying a license. Applicants with past convictions can petition for reconsideration after five years without new offenses (excluding violent/sexual crimes), with agencies required to respond within 60 days. This affects all individuals seeking professional licenses in West Virginia, including fields like healthcare, education, or licensed trades.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reduces licensing barriers for individuals with past convictions by requiring rehabilitation consideration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower recidivism and support reentry.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barriers for healthcare professionals with past convictions, expanding workforce access and improving patient access to services by reducing licensing restrictions.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes unnecessary barriers to professional licensing for individuals with criminal records, expanding employment opportunities and promoting fair hiring practices per employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing Tags Licensing

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 601: Authorizing medical parole for certain inmates

Senate Bill 601 authorizes medical parole for West Virginia inmates with terminal illnesses, medical incapacity, or geriatric conditions (defined as age 55+ with chronic health issues requiring daily assistance). It creates a formal process where inmates or their representatives can submit a petition including a detailed medical parole plan outlining diagnosis, treatment, care location, and financial coverage. Correctional superintendents must review petitions within 72 hours of a terminal illness diagnosis and develop a plan if missing, with the commissioner making the final decision. This policy directly affects eligible incarcerated individuals meeting the defined medical criteria, offering a structured pathway for release based on health needs rather than traditional parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes medical parole for terminally ill/geriatric inmates, reducing unnecessary incarceration - a recognized criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires detailed medical parole plans including diagnosis, treatment, and care location, improving healthcare access for terminally ill inmates.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4383: West Virginia Clean Air in Schools Act of 2026

HB 4383, the West Virginia Clean Air in Schools Act of 2026, requires all K-12 schools in West Virginia to install air quality monitors measuring CO₂, PM2.5, VOCs, and humidity by 2029. The bill mandates phased implementation: monitors in all elementary classrooms by 2027, 50% of middle/high school classrooms by 2028 (prioritizing special education and high-risk areas), and full coverage by 2029. Schools must publicly display real-time air quality data via a state-maintained dashboard and submit corrective action plans if pollution exceeds health standards. This directly affects every county school district operating K-12 facilities across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates air quality monitoring in all K-12 schools to improve indoor environment, directly supporting school infrastructure and student health within educational settings.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates monitoring of environmental pollutants (PM2.5, VOCs) in schools, advancing pollution control and environmental health protections per bill's requirements.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates air quality monitoring in schools to improve indoor air quality, a public health measure directly protecting student and staff health per bill's Health subject classification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education Student Health Air Quality

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