Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 280: Department of Health Facilities rule relating to patient rights at state-operated mental health facilities

SB 280 authorizes the West Virginia Department of Health Facilities to promulgate a legislative rule about patient rights at state-operated mental health facilities. This rule, previously filed in the State Register on July 25, 2025, would directly affect patients in these facilities by establishing standards for their rights and care. The bill itself is procedural, focusing on legal authorization rather than new policy details.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes rule-making to establish patient rights standards in mental health facilities, directly aligning with 'protects patient rights' indicator for mental health care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 555: Establishing Essential Personnel Bridge Grant Program

SB 555 establishes the Essential Personnel Bridge Grant Program to provide targeted financial assistance to West Virginia school districts for essential staff positions not fully covered by existing state funding. It directly affects county school boards, allowing them to apply for reimbursements to cover part of the salaries and benefits for staff in roles critical to maintaining instructional programming, special education services, mental health support, transportation, or compliance with mandates. Applications require demonstrating that positions exceed state-funded levels and address specific student needs, with grants prioritized based on county financial capacity, local funding reliance, and impact on student outcomes. Funds may only be used for mandated salaries/benefits of the requested positions, and the program requires annual reporting on grant usage and student impacts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides targeted state funding to cover essential K-12 staff salaries/benefits for critical roles like special education and mental health, directly addressing underfunding gaps.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirectly funds mental health support staff in schools through bridge grants, advancing mental health services under healthcare topic95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds essential school staff salaries/benefits for critical roles (instructional, special ed, mental health), directly supporting employment stability and coverage for these positions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4061: Requiring PEIA and other health insurance providers to provide payment parity for certain services

HB 4061 requires West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and other health insurers to pay mental health and behavioral health providers the same rate as medical/surgical providers for comparable services. This applies to licensed practitioners (like therapists and counselors) covered under the bill’s definitions of "serious mental illness." Insurers must submit claims using standard codes and identifiers, and cannot reduce payments to physicians to comply with this law. The bill directly affects mental health providers and insurers by mandating equal reimbursement rates for services like therapy and counseling, aligning them with physical health care payments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal payment rates for mental health services, improving access and supporting mental health coverage under insurance parity requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 399: Creating Bring Them Home Fund

SB 399 creates the "Bring Them Home Fund" to finance renovating state-owned properties for in-state residential treatment services for children requiring acute psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, or trauma care. The fund, managed by West Virginia's Department of Human Services, will be used to expand local child welfare capacity and reduce reliance on out-of-state placements, which are more expensive and disrupt family connections. Funding sources include legislative appropriations, grants, donations, and investment income, with savings from fewer out-of-state placements to be reinvested. The bill authorizes the Department to collaborate with state agencies and private entities to repurpose properties and develop treatment programs matching the needs of children historically placed out-of-state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates fund using legislative appropriations to expand child welfare services, directly advancing public funding allocation for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates fund for in-state mental health treatment services, expanding access and reducing costly out-of-state placements for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 4742: Creating a poster providing contact information and resource information on veteran benefits and services

HB 4742 requires employers with over 50 full-time employees in West Virginia to display a mandatory poster in workplaces and on websites. The poster, created by the Division of Labor working with the Department of Veterans' Assistance, lists contact details and descriptions for eight key veteran resources, including mental health services, education programs, tax benefits, and the VA Crisis Line. This law directly affects large employers by mandating visible access to veteran support information for employees. The bill focuses on making existing veteran resources more accessible through a standardized, widely distributed informational tool.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates employer display of mental health services contact info, facilitating access to veteran mental health resources as part of required veteran benefits poster.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates employers to display veteran resource posters including mental health, education, tax benefits, and VA Crisis Line access, directly improving veterans' access to existing support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 26, 2026

HB 4807: Relating generally to the creation of mental hygiene regions by the Supreme Court of Appeals

HB 4807 restructures West Virginia's mental health commitment system by creating mental hygiene regions under the Supreme Court of Appeals, replacing the previous commissioner structure. It requires all mental health evaluations and hearings for involuntary commitment to be conducted via video technology (with facilities providing required equipment), mandates 24/7 examiner coverage in each region including weekends, and limits civil commitments to 120 days without a hearing. The bill also establishes a temporary observation release option, grants civil immunity to providers in involuntary proceedings (with exceptions), and requires hearings for commitments exceeding 90 days. This directly affects mental health patients undergoing involuntary commitment, providers conducting evaluations, and courts managing these proceedings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestructures mental health system with 24/7 examiner coverage and 120-day commitment limits, improving patient access and rights in mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 231: Relating to value-based payment requirements

This bill establishes a value-based payment system for West Virginia's Medicaid addiction care services, shifting from fee-for-service to rewarding providers based on patient recovery outcomes. It directly affects Medicaid providers treating substance use disorders by requiring them to use standardized billing codes starting in 2027 and report on five specific outcome metrics: housing stability, sobriety, avoidance of criminal justice involvement, self-sufficiency (employment/education), and provider transition plans. The bill mandates data collection and analysis by the Bureau for Medical Services to develop these metrics, with value-based payments requiring implementation by 2028. The goal is to create a coordinated care system focused on long-term recovery success rather than fragmented service volume.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires tracking 'avoidance of criminal justice involvement' as a key outcome metric, directly aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShifts Medicaid addiction care to value-based payments focused on recovery outcomes, improving patient care quality and aligning with mental health service support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 3, 2026

HB 4770: Establishing limitations on the use of artificial intelligence and artificial intelligence technology to deliver mental health care, with exceptions for administrative support functions

HB 4770 prohibits the use of AI companions (systems designed to simulate human relationships through personalized, ongoing emotional interactions) in delivering mental health therapy services. It requires explicit, written consent for any AI use in mental health care, banning such tools from diagnosing, treating, or claiming to treat conditions. The law applies to all health insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2027, affecting mental health providers and insurers. Exceptions allow AI for administrative tasks (e.g., scheduling) but not for direct therapy or emotional engagement.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts AI use in mental health therapy delivery, requiring consent and banning diagnostic claims - limits AI's role in care, aligning with 'oppose' stance.92% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits AI companions in mental health therapy, banning diagnostic/treatment use and requiring consent, directly restricting AI technology deployment in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 4458: Creating Substance Abuse Intervention Act

HB 4458, known as "Joel’s Law," creates a legal process for involuntary treatment of individuals with substance use disorders who pose an imminent danger to themselves or others. It requires a petition from a family member, friend, or guardian to a West Virginia Circuit Court, accompanied by a guarantee to cover treatment costs, and sets strict criteria: the person must have a substance use disorder, present an immediate danger, and be likely to benefit from treatment. The bill establishes a 72-hour emergency treatment option and a formal court process for 60- to 360-day treatment orders, including medical examinations and a hearing within 14 days. This law directly affects individuals meeting these specific danger criteria and their families, while ensuring procedural safeguards like court oversight and cost accountability.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill diverts substance abuse cases from criminal justice system to treatment, reducing recidivism through rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform principle.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates involuntary treatment process for substance use disorders, expanding access to mental health services for high-risk individuals through court-mandated intervention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4032: Establish quick response teams to work with drug users who are arrested

HB 4032 would establish quick response teams (QRTs) under West Virginia's Office of Drug Control Policy to assist individuals with substance use disorders who are arrested and experiencing drug-related medical emergencies. These teams would provide immediate support and connect arrested individuals to treatment options at regional jails or treatment facilities, working directly with law enforcement and health services. The bill requires the Office of Drug Control Policy to develop this program by coordinating with health care providers, emergency services, and law enforcement, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change aims to create a direct pathway to recovery for people with substance use disorders following an arrest.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes QRTs to connect drug users to treatment upon arrest, reducing punitive measures and advancing rehabilitation in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates QRTs to connect arrested individuals with substance use disorders to treatment, improving access to healthcare services for mental health/substance abuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

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