Del. Matthew Rohrbach

Maddy summaryHB 3094 removes legal liability for mental health professionals who conduct evaluations in West Virginia for possible involuntary hospitalization. It specifically protects licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, advanced nurse practitioners, and physician assistants with psychiatric certification when following the procedures outlined in state law. The bill amends existing code to clarify that these professionals are not personally liable for their evaluations in emergency mental health cases, as long as they adhere to the required standards. This change aims to encourage timely evaluations without fear of legal repercussions for providers.

Maddy summaryHB 3069 creates a salary adjustment for West Virginia teachers based on regional housing costs. It provides a "market pay enhancement" to certified teachers in counties where base salaries fall below competitive levels relative to neighboring areas, calculated using median home prices from the National Association of Realtors. The enhancement amount is determined annually by comparing the median home price in a teacher’s county and adjacent counties (including border states) to West Virginia’s statewide median, then applying a percentage-based multiplier to the county’s average teacher salary. This adjustment applies only to teachers in counties where base pay is deemed insufficiently competitive, with the first calculation effective July 15, 2025, and updated every five years thereafter. The policy directly affects public school teachers in West Virginia counties facing regional pay disparities.

Maddy summaryHB 2690, the Dental Insurance Transparency Act, requires dental insurance carriers in West Virginia to publicly report how much of collected premiums are spent on actual patient care versus administrative costs. Carriers must file annual reports with the Insurance Commissioner detailing medical loss ratios (MLRs), similar to federal standards, including enrollment data, cost-sharing details, and coverage limits. If a carrier spends less than 80% of premium funds on patient care (the MLR threshold), they must issue rebates to policyholders as reduced premiums. The law also mandates transparency around payment methods, requiring carriers to notify providers of fees for electronic payments and offer fee-free alternatives. These reports will be summarized and made publicly available yearly by the commissioner.

Maddy summaryHB 3095 creates new legal protections for people in recovery (such as those in addiction treatment) against financial exploitation. It establishes a civil process allowing victims to file for protective orders and sue for damages if someone misuses their funds or assets through undue influence or intentional misappropriation. The law bans defenses based solely on a trusted relationship (like being a guardian or attorney) and requires courts to order the return of stolen assets or award actual damages. Protective orders can be temporary without prior notice to the accused but must be reviewed in a full hearing within 20 days.

Maddy summaryHB 3081 would lower West Virginia's eligibility age for a senior citizen tuition waiver program from 65 to 60 years old. This change would allow older adults aged 60 and above to qualify for reduced tuition and fees when auditing college courses without credit (at a maximum $50 per course, excluding lab and parking fees) or taking courses for credit (at 50% of resident rates). The program requires participants to be West Virginia residents or metro area students and ensures available classroom space, applying to both in-person and online courses. The bill maintains existing structure but expands access to a broader age group without altering other eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 3093 provides legal immunity to mental health professionals who conduct mental hygiene checks for possible involuntary hospitalization under West Virginia law. It directly affects licensed counselors, social workers, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants performing these evaluations. The bill creates protection from liability when providers follow specific procedures outlined in the law, including having particularized expertise in mental health and conducting examinations per court orders. This change modifies liability standards for professionals involved in involuntary hospitalization cases involving substance use disorders or mental illness.

Maddy summaryHB 3068 updates definitions related to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and pharmacy audits in West Virginia. It defines key terms like "340B entity," "affiliate" (pharmacies linked to PBMs), "auditing entity," and "maximum allowable cost" to clarify regulatory standards. The bill directly affects pharmacies, PBMs, health insurers, and health plans by establishing clearer terminology for billing, audits, and drug reimbursement practices. As a definition-focused bill introduced on March 3, 2025, it does not yet implement new policies but sets the foundation for future regulation under the Pharmacy Audit Integrity Act.

Maddy summaryHB 3087 prohibits "white bagging," a practice where insurers require patients to get certain medications from specific pharmacies rather than their doctor's office. It directly affects health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and healthcare providers by requiring insurers to pay for physician-administered medications (like cancer drugs) when medically necessary, regardless of whether the medication comes from a network pharmacy. The bill mandates that insurers pay at the agreed rate or wholesale cost, bans extra fees for patients, and forbids denying coverage based solely on where the medication is obtained. It does not stop insurers from setting different copays or requiring medical necessity criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 2762 (Tobacco Products Excise Tax Act) extends West Virginia's existing tobacco excise tax to e-cigarettes and heated nicotine products, which were previously excluded. The bill amends tax code sections to define "heated tobacco products" and explicitly include them under the tobacco tax framework, requiring manufacturers and retailers to pay the tax on these items. This directly affects businesses selling e-cigarettes and similar products, as they must now comply with the same tax obligations as traditional tobacco products. The change updates the tax system to cover newer nicotine delivery products without altering existing tax rates or creating new revenue streams.

Maddy summaryHB 3096 requires the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification to inspect office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs at least once every 24 months. These inspections include reviewing patient records to ensure compliance with licensing rules. The bill specifies that pharmacists licensed in West Virginia and law-enforcement officers may accompany inspectors during visits. It directly affects MAT programs operating in doctors' offices across the state, ensuring regular oversight of their operations. The law maintains existing annual inspection requirements but clarifies the minimum frequency for formal program inspections.