This bill clarifies that registered nurses in West Virginia may administer anesthetics only when ordered by a physician in an acute care setting, such as a hospital. It does not expand nurses' scope of practice but specifies the limited context where this current authority applies. The change affects registered nurses working in acute care facilities, ensuring they operate within defined parameters. The amendment updates existing law to explicitly restrict this practice to acute care environments.
HB 5618 ends West Virginia's moratorium on new opioid treatment facilities requiring a certificate of need, effective July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects new opioid treatment programs seeking licensure, removing a 2016-era barrier that prevented new providers from entering the market. It responds to a federal court ruling (Slaughter v. Edney) finding the moratorium violated equal protection by blocking new entrants while allowing existing providers to operate. The key provision sets a specific end date for the moratorium, allowing new facilities to apply for licenses without needing a certificate of need after July 2026.
SB 807 allows physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia to own medical practices or businesses, which was previously restricted under state law. The bill amends licensing rules to permit PAs to be shareholders in medical corporations and to form professional LLCs under the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. It also prohibits PAs from receiving licenses or authorizations for referrals where they have a financial interest in the referral source. This directly affects PAs seeking greater business ownership opportunities while maintaining safeguards against conflicts of interest in patient referrals. The policy change updates professional licensing provisions without altering PA scope of practice or clinical responsibilities.
HB 5015 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact," allowing respiratory therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states more easily. It requires criminal history checks for new licenses and for therapists seeking to practice across state lines under the compact, with results kept confidential except under specific circumstances. The bill directly affects respiratory therapists seeking multi-state practice and the West Virginia Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners, which must implement these checks. Key provisions include establishing a Commission to oversee the compact, preserving each state's regulatory authority over licensure, and aiming to improve access to respiratory therapy services while addressing workforce shortages.
HB 5458 creates a new Genetic Counselors Practice Act under West Virginia law, directly affecting individuals seeking to practice genetic counseling in the state. The bill requires criminal background checks for all new genetic counseling license applicants, mandates that practitioners hold a valid license before providing services, and defines the scope of genetic counseling practice. It prohibits genetic counselors from representing themselves as licensed physicians and establishes penalties including up to two years in prison or a $2,000 fine for violations. The bill also sets continuing education requirements, licensure renewal processes, and disciplinary procedures specific to genetic counselors.
HB 5559 creates West Virginia's participation in the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers to practice across multiple participating states using a single "multistate license" instead of obtaining separate licenses in each state. It directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice in more than one member state, as well as clients needing consistent access to social work services. The key provision establishes standardized requirements for multistate licensure, including background checks, and creates a commission to manage the compact's operations and resolve disputes between states. This eliminates barriers for social workers moving between states while ensuring public access to qualified professionals under a unified licensing system.
Senate Bill 956 removes requirements that physician assistants (PAs) in West Virginia must work under direct physician supervision or collaboration. It allows PAs to own medical businesses, practice independently without mandated supervision, and be held to the same standard of care as other licensed healthcare providers. The bill amends specific sections of West Virginia law (§30-3-14, §30-3-15, §31B-13-1301) and adds a new section (§30-3E-21) to formalize these changes, including classifying PAs as a "professional service" under business law. This directly affects PAs by expanding their scope of practice and business ownership opportunities.
HB 5085 requires private residential programs for adolescents with behavioral or emotional challenges to obtain a license from West Virginia’s Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. The bill mandates background checks for all staff with direct contact with youth, prohibits physical discipline or denial of education, and requires programs to report restraints/seclusion within one business day. It also mandates written policies for suicide prevention, allows parents to remove youth or request weekly video calls, and requires programs to publicly post complaint procedures. The law directly affects operators of these residential programs (excluding schools, camps, or faith-based organizations), imposing new licensing, safety, and transparency requirements.
SB 897 establishes licensing and certification requirements for alcohol and drug counselors in West Virginia. It defines key terms like "substance use disorder" and "practice of alcohol and drug counseling," which includes evaluating addiction issues, developing treatment plans, and providing trauma-informed care. The bill sets eligibility criteria, application fees, renewal fees, and grandfathering provisions for existing counselors based on education or experience. It also creates disciplinary actions for violations and specifies exceptions for healthcare providers, state employees, and self-help groups. This bill directly affects counselors seeking to provide substance use disorder treatment services in the state.
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.
