The purpose is to make needle exchange programs illegal

HB 3159 makes syringe service programs illegal in West Virginia, which are programs providing sterile needles without a prescription. The bill prohibits these programs statewide, requiring existing programs to cease needle exchanges after the effective date (with a 120-day transition period to assist patients in moving to other services, but no needle exchanges during this time). It allows harm reduction services (like overdose prevention education and wound care) but explicitly separates them from syringe exchanges. Violations carry civil penalties up to $2,500 per day, and the bill repeals all existing legal provisions governing syringe programs. This directly affects needle exchange programs and their operators across the state.