Creating mental hygiene regions by Supreme Court of Appeals

SB 160 restructures West Virginia's mental health evaluation and commitment system by creating mental hygiene regions overseen by the Supreme Court of Appeals. It requires video technology for evaluations and hearings (with facilities providing compliant tech), removes licensed counselors/social workers as approved examiners, and establishes time limits: no civil commitment longer than 120 days without a hearing, and mandatory hearings for commitments exceeding 90 days. The bill also creates temporary observation releases and mandates certified mental health centers to provide 24/7 examiner coverage in each region. This directly affects individuals in mental health proceedings, mental health facilities, and the Supreme Court's administrative role in overseeing regional commissioners.