Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 1082: Relating to authority of PEIA to investigate and prosecute fraud

SB 1082 expands the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency's (PEIA) authority to investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. It establishes new civil penalties, including triple damages for fraudulent claims, and allows PEIA to withhold payments to recover overpayments. The bill directly affects employers, employees, and healthcare providers who submit claims to PEIA by creating specific violations like misrepresenting benefits or overcharging. Key provisions include authorizing administrative actions, requiring document retention for five years, and setting procedures for investigations and subpoenas. The law aims to strengthen fraud prevention and recovery of public insurance funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands PEIA's fraud investigation authority to protect healthcare funds, preventing misuse of resources and ensuring legitimate claims are paid, aligning with healthcare system integrity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 5615: Relating to Teleheatlh

HB 5615 removes the requirement for an in-person visit before a patient's first telemedicine appointment in West Virginia. For patients who have had an in-person visit with the same provider within the past three years, the bill mandates an in-person follow-up within 12 months of the initial telemedicine service, with exceptions for acute care, behavioral health, addiction treatment, or palliative care. It also restricts prescribing Schedule II controlled substances (like strong opioids) via telehealth without special authorization, except for patients with an established provider relationship. These changes aim to standardize telehealth practice while ensuring patient safety through documentation and confidentiality rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves in-person barrier for telehealth access, allows exceptions for mental health/addiction care, improves patient access to healthcare services85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Telehealth

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 21, 2026

SB 1047: Establishing Community Well-Being, Recovery Housing, and Family Stabilization Act

SB 1047 creates a non-criminal system to address homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges by requiring law enforcement to issue verbal warnings, then written warnings, and finally refer individuals to community behavioral health centers after three encounters - replacing arrests or citations. The bill sets standards for recovery housing to be substance-free, trauma-informed, and long-term, with specific provisions for family recovery housing supporting pregnant women and mothers with children. It prohibits criminalizing homelessness or addiction, integrates community behavioral health centers with recovery housing services, and mandates an annual report from a state advisory team, all using existing state resources without new funding. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReplaces arrests for homelessness/addiction with behavioral health referrals, reducing criminalization and promoting treatment-based reform per bill's core mechanism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects individuals from law enforcement to behavioral health centers, establishing community-based mental health services and recovery housing standards.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes recovery housing standards for homelessness, focusing on trauma-informed, substance-free housing and family stabilization, advancing housing stability through behavioral health referrals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 5184: Prohibiting expanding drug and alcohol treatment facilities and services in certain counties

HB 5184 would prohibit adding new licensed substance abuse treatment beds in any West Virginia county that already has more than 250 such beds. This directly affects counties meeting that bed threshold by restricting the expansion of drug and alcohol treatment facilities. The bill amends existing law to specifically bar new bed additions in these high-capacity counties, while exempting certain approved clinical trials for opioid treatment programs. It does not change rules for counties with fewer than 250 beds or affect existing facilities. The change creates a clear threshold limiting new treatment capacity in areas already serving high demand.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts new substance abuse treatment beds in high-capacity counties, limiting access to mental health services per bill's prohibition on expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 1012: Permitting development of juvenile inpatient substance use disorder treatment beds

SB 1012 amends West Virginia law to permit the development of 60 additional inpatient substance use disorder treatment beds specifically for youth aged 17 or younger in Cabell County. The bill modifies certificate of need requirements that previously restricted new beds in counties with over 250 existing substance abuse treatment beds, making an exception for Cabell County's juvenile beds. This policy change directly affects minors in Cabell County seeking inpatient treatment for substance use disorders by removing a regulatory barrier to expanding specialized care. The provision is limited to inpatient treatment beds exclusively for individuals 17 years or younger.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePermits 60 additional juvenile substance use treatment beds, expanding access to mental health services for minors in Cabell County by modifying restrictive certificate of need rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 5103: Relating to requiring the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification to inspect office-based medication-assisted treatment programs at least every 24 months

HB 5103 requires the West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification to inspect office-based medication-assisted treatment programs (which provide opioid addiction treatment using medication) at least once every 24 months. These inspections must include reviewing patient records to ensure compliance with licensing rules and may involve a pharmacist and law enforcement officer. The bill mandates formal inspections every two years, in addition to unannounced complaint inspections already allowed. It directly affects opioid treatment programs operating in medical offices across West Virginia.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates regular inspections for MAT programs to ensure compliance with licensing rules, strengthening oversight of opioid addiction treatment services and patient care standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 742: Modifying requirements for involuntary hospitalization

SB 742 modifies West Virginia's involuntary hospitalization process by allowing an authorized hospital physician to place a person under a 72-hour hold without first contacting specific officials (like mental hygiene commissioners). It removes the previous 24-hour deadline for filing a formal petition to extend the hold, instead requiring this petition to be filed within 72 hours. The bill also ensures hospitals and physicians are paid standard rates for these services and are protected from liability when acting in good faith. This directly affects individuals facing involuntary hospitalization for mental illness or addiction and the healthcare providers managing their care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines involuntary mental health hospitalization process, improving timely care access and ensuring provider payment/protection for services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 743: Creating exemption to prescription limitations for mid-level providers

SB 743 creates an exemption from standard opioid prescription limits for mid-level providers (like nurse practitioners and physician assistants) working in hospice care. It requires these providers to be licensed, employed exclusively by licensed hospice providers, and supervised by a physician medical director. The exemption allows them to prescribe Schedule II opioids without the usual 30-day supply limits in hospice settings, while maintaining all other existing prescription rules for non-hospice care. This change specifically applies to hospice patients receiving palliative care, aligning with current exceptions for hospice services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hospice mid-level providers from opioid prescription limits, improving access to pain management in end-of-life care while maintaining safety protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5349: Requiring the Public Employees Agency and other health insurance providers to provide mental health parity

HB 5349 requires West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and other health insurers to provide mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder coverage that is equally comprehensive as coverage for physical health conditions. It mandates specific protections, including annual screenings for depression and substance use, fair access to providers (like coverage for non-participating providers when needed), and clear denial notices explaining parity rights. The bill directly affects public employees covered by PEIA and all health insurance providers operating in West Virginia under state regulations. It also requires annual reporting on compliance and sets an effective date of June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal mental health coverage parity with physical health, expanding access and protecting patient rights per bill's requirements for insurers and PEIA.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 5181: Relating to removing the Certificate of Need moratorium on opioid treatment facilities

This bill repeals a law that paused Certificate of Need (CON) requirements for opioid treatment facilities. By removing the moratorium, it ends the temporary exemption allowing these facilities to bypass state approval for expansion. Now, opioid treatment centers in West Virginia would need to obtain a Certificate of Need before expanding services or opening new locations. This directly affects opioid treatment facilities seeking to grow or add services within the state.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill removes moratorium requiring opioid treatment facilities to obtain Certificate of Need for expansion, restricting their ability to grow and limiting patient access to services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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