HB 4982: Make West Virginia Healthy Act of 2026 - West Virginia

hb4982 sfa deeds _ 2-18 adopted.htm → hb4982 sfat helton _ 2-18 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill's sponsor was changed from Senator Deeds to Senator Helton, and the amendment text was completely replaced. The original amendment focused on fitness testing and the Presidential Fitness Test for grades 4-8, while the new amendment expands the bill to reestablish a statewide Healthy Lifestyles Program, add new sections to the Code of West Virginia, and repeal existing sections related to healthy lifestyles.

Scope change

The bill's scope significantly expanded from a specific fitness testing requirement for middle and high school students to a broader initiative reestablishing a statewide Healthy Lifestyles Program with new articles and sections added to the state code.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the specific requirement to incorporate the Presidential Fitness Test and fitness testing for grades four through eight.

Added provisions to reestablish a statewide Healthy Lifestyles Program and create new articles in the state code.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's focus from a narrow fitness testing mandate to a comprehensive healthy lifestyles initiative including wellness coordination and reporting.

hb4982 hfa statler and toney 2-6 _2 adopted.htm → hb4982 sfa deeds _ 2-18 adopted.htm · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill's procedural history changed from a House version with a specific amendment to a Senate version where a different amendment was adopted. The substantive policy text regarding fitness testing programs remains identical in both versions, indicating no change to the bill's actual requirements.

TECHNICAL

The bill's version identifier changed from the House (HB) to the Senate (SFA), and the amendment sponsor changed from Delegates Statler and Toney to Senator Deeds.

hb4982 hfa clark 2-4 _1 adopted.htm → hb4982 hfa statler and toney 2-6 _2 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill's amendment moved from a focus on healthy food sourcing to a comprehensive fitness initiative. The original proposal by Delegate Clark to have the Office for Healthy Lifestyles coordinate with agriculture to source local fresh foods was rejected. Instead, Delegates Statler and Toney proposed a new requirement for schools to develop a one-mile trail around their grounds and to implement a mandatory fitness testing program for grades 4 through 12 based on the Presidential Fitness Test.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from agricultural food sourcing to school-based physical fitness and infrastructure development.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Office for Healthy Lifestyles to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to identify vendors for locally sourced healthy foods.

Added a requirement for schools to develop a one-mile trail surrounding school grounds to encourage community fitness participation.

Added a mandate for the state board to implement a fitness testing program for students in grades 4 through 12, utilizing the Presidential Fitness Test and other nationally accepted standards.

hb4982 s hhr am _ 2-12 adopted.htm → hb4982 hfa clark 2-4 _1 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The amendment shifts the bill's focus from a general Medicaid program expansion to a specific mandate for the Office for Healthy Lifestyles to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to source and supply fresh healthy foods locally.

Scope change

The scope changed from a broad Medicaid managed care initiative regarding 'Food is Medicine' services to a specific operational requirement for the Office for Healthy Lifestyles to identify local vendors for fresh food supply.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Department of Human Services to permit Medicaid managed care organizations to offer 'Food is Medicine' services.

Added a new requirement for the Office for Healthy Lifestyles to coordinate with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to identify vendors for locally sourcing, growing, and supplying fresh healthy foods.

TECHNICAL

Changed a reference from 'Nutrition' to 'Produce' and adjusted a logical connector from 'of' to 'or' in a different section of the bill.

Committee Substitute → hb4982 s hhr am _ 2-12 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The legislative text was updated to reflect an amendment to HB 4982, changing the bill's status from a 'Committee Substitute' to a version adopted by the Health and Human Resources Committee. The amendment specifically modifies the 'Food is Medicine' program by aligning it with the Rural Health Transformation Program and clarifying that managed care organizations must offer these services. Additionally, minor text corrections were made to ensure the bill's consistency.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the 'Food is Medicine' program was modified to explicitly tie the initiative to the Rural Health Transformation Program and mandate that Medicaid managed care organizations offer the services.

REQUIREMENT

The 'Food is Medicine' program requirements were updated to mandate that Medicaid managed care organizations offer these services in accordance with the Rural Health Transformation Program.

TECHNICAL

Minor text corrections were made, including replacing the word 'Nutrition' with 'Produce' in one instance and changing 'of' to 'or' in another.

TIMELINE

The document header was updated to reflect the specific amendment date (February 12) and the committee action (adopted/rejected), replacing the previous 'Committee Substitute' status.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized from a repealed status into an active 'Enrolled Committee Substitute' version that establishes a comprehensive statewide framework for healthy lifestyles. The changes shift the focus from simply repealing old sections to actively creating new entities, such as the Office of Healthy Lifestyles and a dedicated funding account, while expanding requirements for physical education and nutrition in schools.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly from a repealed set of provisions to an active, multi-agency initiative involving the Departments of Health, Education, and Agriculture, as well as Medicaid and private sector partners.

SCOPE

Created a new Office of Healthy Lifestyles within the Department of Health to coordinate efforts across state agencies and establish a Healthy Lifestyle Coalition.

FISCAL

Established a new 'Healthy Lifestyles Fund' in the state Treasury to support wellness initiatives, grants, and programs without charging against the General Fund.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded physical education requirements for students, mandating specific minutes or credits for elementary, middle, and high school grades, and requiring the Presidential Fitness Test.

Mandated annual reporting to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability regarding program outcomes and grant utilization.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for terms like 'Eligible nutritious food' and 'Food deserts' to guide program implementation.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Mar 2, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled for passage, retaining its core purpose of reestablishing the Healthy Lifestyles Program and expanding the Office of Healthy Lifestyles' authority. Key substantive changes include the repeal of the previous 'Healthy West Virginia Program' articles and the addition of specific mandates for physical fitness in schools, a new 'Food is Medicine' Medicaid program, and a dedicated county grant program for healthy lifestyle initiatives.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a repealed 'Healthy West Virginia Program' to a reestablished 'Healthy Lifestyles Program' with expanded authority for the Office of Healthy Lifestyles to coordinate across multiple state agencies, including education and agriculture.

SCOPE

The previous 'Healthy West Virginia Program' articles (Chapter 5, Article 1E) were repealed and replaced by the 'Make West Virginia Healthy Act of 2026'.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate specific physical education minutes for elementary, middle, and high school students and require the collection of anonymous BMI data for reporting.

A new 'Food is Medicine' program was added to the Medicaid section, authorizing nutrition-based interventions like produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals for Medicaid members with chronic diseases.

FISCAL

A new 'Healthy Lifestyles Fund' was created in the State Treasury to support the program, and a new county grant program was established to fund local initiatives, prioritizing schools.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'Eligible nutritious food' (meeting specific USDA standards) and 'Food deserts' to guide program implementation.

ENFORCEMENT

The Office of Healthy Lifestyles was granted expanded duties to establish a Healthy Lifestyle Coalition, a clinical advisory committee, and a private sector recognition program.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 5 edits · Feb 20, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from an introduced draft to an engrossed committee substitute, incorporating significant substantive changes to expand the 'Make West Virginia Healthy Act of 2026'. The most critical addition is a detailed chart establishing mandatory physical fitness testing standards (curl-ups, shuttle run, mile run, etc.) for students in grades 6 through 12, replacing the previous vague requirement. The bill also formally reestablishes the Office of Healthy Lifestyles, creates a dedicated 'Healthy Lifestyles Fund' to support these initiatives, and mandates coordination with the Department of Education to implement a Farm-to-School program and physical fitness initiatives.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general wellness coordination to include specific, measurable physical fitness requirements for students and a formalized funding mechanism. The applicability now explicitly covers physical fitness testing for grades 6-12 and the creation of a special revenue account for healthy lifestyle programs.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific chart with numerical standards for physical fitness tests (e.g., curl-ups, mile run times) for boys and girls in grades 6 through 12, replacing previous general references to fitness testing.

Mandated the creation of a Healthy Lifestyle Coalition with 13 appointed members to oversee public health and private sector approaches to wellness.

Required the Office of Healthy Lifestyles to coordinate with the Department of Education to implement a sustainable Farm-to-School program.

FISCAL

Created a new 'Healthy Lifestyles Fund' as a separate special revenue account in the State Treasury to finance the program's initiatives.

DEFINITION

Added formal definitions for 'Eligible nutritious food' and 'Food deserts' to clarify program parameters.

Make West Virginia Healthy Act of 2026

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors