Healthcare (Licensing)

HB 5559 creates West Virginia's participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across multiple participating states using a single "multistate license" instead of obtaining separate licenses in each state. It directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice in more than one member state, as well as clients needing consistent access to social work services. The key provision establishes standardized requirements for multistate licensure, including background checks, and creates a commission to manage the compact's operations and resolve disputes between states. This eliminates barriers for social workers moving between states while ensuring public access to qualified professionals under a unified licensing system.

HB 5085 requires private residential programs for adolescents with behavioral or emotional challenges to obtain a license from West Virginia’s Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. The bill mandates background checks for all staff with direct contact with youth, prohibits physical discipline or denial of education, and requires programs to report restraints/seclusion within one business day. It also mandates written policies for suicide prevention, allows parents to remove youth or request weekly video calls, and requires programs to publicly post complaint procedures. The law directly affects operators of these residential programs (excluding schools, camps, or faith-based organizations), imposing new licensing, safety, and transparency requirements.

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.

This bill requires individuals to hold a state license to use the titles "dietitian," "licensed dietitian," or "nutritionist" and to provide medical nutrition therapy in West Virginia after June 30, 2026. It restricts the use of these titles without a license, while exempting certain activities like marketing food products without those titles, existing licensed health professionals providing nutrition care within their scope, students under supervision, military personnel, and WIC program staff. The bill also defines "qualified supervisor" requirements and clarifies that federally trademarked nutrition credentials do not replace state licensing. It directly affects professionals seeking to use these titles or provide medical nutrition therapy services.