The House Health and Human Resources Committee met to discuss several bills, advancing some to the mark-up and passage phase for further consideration, while reporting others to the House with a recommendation that they do pass.
HB4196 – Medication-Assisted Treatment Program / Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
House Bill 4196 would amend the Medication-Assisted Treatment Program Licensing Act to require licensed programs to offer long-lasting reversible contraception (LARC) to patients receiving methadone or suboxone treatment.
The legislation ensures that patients have access to LARC directly at the treatment facility.
The committee reported the bill to the House with the recommendation that it do pass.
HB4335 – Concerning Medicaid Providers
House Bill 4335 proposes changes to Medicaid provider enrollment and credentialing by setting expedited timelines, standardizing requirements across managed care organizations, and directing the creation of a unified statewide electronic credentialing system.
The committee reported the bill to the House with the recommendation that it do pass.
HB4021 – Bring Them Home Fund / Child Welfare Facilities
House Bill 4021 would create the Bring Them Home Fund and establish guidelines for distributing funds to renovate existing state-owned properties to support the expansion of West Virginia’s child welfare provider network.
The bill would also grant authority to promulgate legislative rules related to the program.
The presenter noted that out-of-state placements may limit contact with family and support networks for children already experiencing a crisis.
The presenter stated that approximately 350 West Virginia children are currently placed out of state, at an estimated cost of about $2,000 per child, which is higher than the cost of in-state care.
Del. Mike Pushkin (I) – Kanawha, 054), raised concerns about concentrating many children in a single facility rather than using the funds to purchase or renovate smaller, home-like settings.
The presenter noted that children generally experience better outcomes in smaller, home-like settings.
The committee advanced the bill to the markup and passage phase for further consideration.
HB4022 – CPS Worker Allocation
House Bill 4022 would require the allocation and assignment of Child Protective Services (CPS) workers by county and mandate that any changes to these allocations be reported.
The bill is intended to ensure transparency and oversight in staffing decisions for CPS personnel.
The committee advanced the bill to the markup and passage phase for further consideration.
HB4354 – Foster Child Clothing Allowance
House Bill 4354 would establish requirements for an adequate wardrobe and approved necessities for children removed from their homes and placed in legal custody of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The bill also sets forth payment methods for these items and is intended to standardize clothing allowances for foster children.
The committee advanced the bill to the markup and passage phase for further consideration.
