Federal Court Decision Striking Down Certificate of Need Moratorium.

HB 5618 ends West Virginia's moratorium on new opioid treatment facilities requiring a certificate of need, effective July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects new opioid treatment programs seeking licensure, removing a 2016-era barrier that prevented new providers from entering the market. It responds to a federal court ruling (Slaughter v. Edney) finding the moratorium violated equal protection by blocking new entrants while allowing existing providers to operate. The key provision sets a specific end date for the moratorium, allowing new facilities to apply for licenses without needing a certificate of need after July 2026.