Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 4413: Making syringe exchange service programs unlawful

HB 4413 bans syringe exchange programs in West Virginia by making them unlawful under new law, requiring all existing programs to cease operations by the effective date. It allows harm reduction services (like overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and referrals to treatment) to continue without needle exchanges during a 120-day transition period for patient care. Operators who continue syringe exchanges after the effective date face daily civil penalties of up to $2,500, and the state health office can seek court orders to enforce the ban. The bill specifically prohibits offering sterile needles without a prescription, while permitting other health services that don’t involve syringe exchanges.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans syringe exchanges - harm reduction service tied to criminal justice reform - restricting a key public health strategy to reduce drug-related offenses.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBans syringe exchange programs, a key public health initiative for harm reduction, restricting access to a proven healthcare service that prevents disease transmission.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 35: Limiting liability of employers for persons whose criminal records are expunged

This bill (SB 35) limits employer liability when an employee's criminal record for drug addiction-related offenses or diseases is expunged. It requires the state to create a database tracking these expungements and mandates courts to check this database in cases involving such employees. Employers are not required to provide health insurance or cover health care costs related to drug addiction or addiction-related diseases if the employee's record was expunged. The law specifically applies to employees participating in "return to work initiatives" for recovering addicts and does not affect employers' obligations for non-addiction-related issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes criminal justice reform by facilitating expungement benefits and reducing employment barriers for individuals with expunged drug addiction-related records.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly exempts employers from covering drug addiction-related healthcare costs when criminal records are expunged, restricting employer health coverage obligations.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill removes employer obligation to cover drug addiction health care costs for expunged records, weakening worker benefits and protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Insurance Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 36: Making syringe exchange services programs unlawful

Senate Bill 36 makes syringe exchange programs illegal in West Virginia, prohibiting any program where individuals can access sterile needles without a prescription. It requires all existing syringe exchange programs to cease operations by the bill's effective date, with a 120-day transition period allowed only for referrals to treatment - no syringes may be exchanged during this time. Harm reduction services like overdose prevention education, wound care, and opioid antagonist distribution remain permitted, provided they do not include syringe exchanges. Violators face civil penalties of up to $2,500 per day, and the state health office can seek court orders to enforce the law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBans syringe exchanges, removing harm reduction services linked to criminal justice reform efforts that reduce drug-related offenses and promote public health over criminalization.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly prohibits syringe exchange programs, a harm reduction healthcare service, restricting access to public health initiatives focused on disease prevention and overdose response.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 515: Requiring drug testing for individuals receiving office-based medication-assisted treatment

SB 515 requires drug testing for individuals enrolled in office-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs for substance use disorders in West Virginia. It mandates an initial comprehensive test upon admission, followed by direct observation screening tests every two weeks for six weeks during early treatment, every 45 days for one year during stabilization, and every six months during maintenance. Providers may request additional testing for compliance, with unexpected results requiring confirmatory testing. This bill directly affects patients in MAT programs and their healthcare providers, establishing specific testing schedules under the state's treatment licensing rules.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareMandates frequent drug testing in MAT programs, creating barriers to access for substance use treatment without expanding coverage or funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track