HB 5277 is a funding bill that allocates $1 million to Welch Community Hospital, $3.4 million to William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital, and $4.3 million to Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus balance. These funds are designated specifically for capital improvements, repairs, and equipment at each hospital during fiscal year 2026. The bill supplements existing appropriations by adding these new funding lines to the hospitals' respective budgets. It directly affects the three named hospitals by providing additional resources for facility maintenance and infrastructure. The bill does not create new policies or programs but reallocates existing surplus funds for capital purposes.
HB 5074 changes how revenue from West Virginia's medical cannabis program is allocated. For fiscal year 2026, it directs $3 million to the Supreme Court for a child protection pilot, $10 million each to West Virginia University and Marshall University for ibogaine research, and $5 million to homelessness services, with remaining funds reverting to general revenue. Starting July 1, 2026, annual allocations will be: 15% to the Medical Cannabis Bureau for administration, 15% to the Department of Agriculture for cannabis testing, and 45% split among the Fight Substance Abuse Fund (20%), university research (10% each to Marshall and WVU), a Child Protection Commission (10%), and law enforcement training programs (40%). These changes apply to ongoing revenue from medical cannabis taxes, not new taxes or fees.
SB 754 creates a special fund called the "Foster Care Facilities Improvement Fund" to support West Virginia nonprofit organizations operating foster care facilities. The fund, financed through state appropriations, donations, and investment income, prioritizes grants for renovating, constructing, or maintaining residential childcare facilities - especially those providing psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and trauma services. An Advisory Committee (appointed by the Department of Human Services) recommends quarterly disbursements based on identified needs, with priority given to local nonprofits improving facility access and quality. The bill ensures unspent balances roll over annually and reinvests savings from reduced out-of-state placements to expand high-quality care within the state.
HB 5097 requires West Virginia hospitals to provide effective communication assistance for deaf and hard of hearing patients and their families. Specifically, hospitals without an on-staff American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter must offer technology solutions like hearing loops, captioning services, or video relay systems. The bill mandates that any ASL interpreters used must be approved by the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Noncompliance can be reported to licensing authorities, and the law takes effect upon passage. This directly affects all hospitals operating under West Virginia's healthcare regulations serving patients with hearing or speech impairments.
HB 5484 creates a new felony crime in West Virginia for conspiring to deny medical care to victims of sexual exploitation, assault, incest, or abuse. It directly affects individuals who work together (conspire) to block victims from accessing licensed medical treatment for injuries or conditions caused by these crimes. The bill establishes penalties of 5-10 years in prison, a $50,000 fine, or both for violations. This law specifically targets efforts to prevent victims from receiving necessary medical care following sexual offenses, without altering existing abortion laws.
HB 4467 amends West Virginia law to allow pregnant employees and new mothers working in public school systems to use their existing sick leave bank for maternity leave. It specifically prohibits county school boards from banning this use of sick leave for maternity purposes. The bill clarifies that school employees may contribute up to two days of personal leave annually to the sick leave bank, but cannot be forced to contribute. This policy change directly affects all full-time public school employees in West Virginia who are pregnant or have newborn children.
SB 436 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services (DoHS) to create and implement a statewide prevention plan by February 2027. The plan must provide trauma-informed, evidence-based preventive services to children under 18 and their families - including foster youth, pregnant and parenting teens, youth aging out of foster care, post-adoption youth, and families with economic or safety needs - ensuring accessible services through a mix of physical locations and telehealth. DoHS must track service outcomes, report annually to the legislature starting in 2027 (including county-level data and costs), and work to secure federal funding under the Family First Prevention Services Act. The bill directly affects DoHS operations and the delivery of child welfare prevention services across the state.
HB 4286 authorizes the Board of Examiners in Counseling to implement a revised licensing rule (27 CSR 01) that was modified to address legislative concerns. This rule establishes specific requirements for counselors seeking or renewing their licenses in West Virginia, including qualifications and renewal processes. The bill does not create new policy but formalizes an existing regulatory framework for the counseling profession.
HB 4228 authorizes the Office of Inspector General to establish a rule for licensing behavioral health centers. It specifically clarifies that child placing agencies providing behavioral health services are deemed licensed for those services under their existing child placing license, as defined in another rule (78CSR02). This change eliminates the need for these agencies to obtain a separate behavioral health license. The bill amends an existing rule (71 CSR 25) to include this provision, streamlining the licensing process for covered agencies.
HB 4303 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Optometry to establish a specific rule (14 CSR 10) governing continuing education requirements for optometrists. The bill formally approves a rule that the Board had previously drafted, modified to address concerns raised by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, and refiled in the State Register. This rule directly affects licensed optometrists in West Virginia by setting standards for their required ongoing professional education. The bill itself does not change the content of the rule, only grants the Board the authority to implement it.
