The Senate has completed legislation on a bill that would regulate the use of step therapy protocols by providing a simple and expeditious process for exceptions to the protocols that the health care provider deems not in the best interests of the patient.
The bill, HB 2300, was originally passed last year by former governor Earl Ray Tomblin but was voided due to technical issues with the bill, which have since been corrected.
The Senate also passed 12 bills to be sent to the House for further consideration.
SB 27 would permit home-based, micro-processing foods to be sold at farmers markets.
SB 36 would add sales of gasoline, diesel fuel and blended fuel to the list of products exempted from the Unfair Practices Act.
SB 216 would prohibit the exclusion, modification or limitation of any warranty or remedy in the sale of used motor vehicles, specifically pertaining to “as is” motor vehicle sales. This bill will be made effective from passage.
SB 219 would create a criminal offense to hold all participants involved in a conspiracy to violate the drug laws responsible.
SB 341 would establish a West Virginia business growth in low-income communities tax credit.
SB 468 would remove restrictions on where KENO theme lottery games may be played, specifically, games that utilize an electronic computer and video screen to operate a lottery game and communicate the results thereof, such as the game “Travel,” and do not utilize an interactive electronic terminal device allowing input by an individual player.
SB 480 would authorize local units of government to adopt local energy efficiency partnership programs and to create districts to promote the use of energy efficiency improvements by owners of certain real property, and provide for the financing of such programs.
SB 547 would generally modify fees to be paid to the Secretary of State.
SB 548 would provide for the specific escheat of United States savings bonds and all rights and legal title thereto and define terms.
SB 564 would modify the West Virginia Independent Living Act and provisions relating to the statewide Independent Living Council to conform to requirements of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
HB 2447 would rename the Court of Claims the state Claims Commission, among other modifications.
HB 2766 would establish a new special revenue fund to collect and remit moneys to the Adult Drug Court Participation Fee Fund in the state to maintain and administer the state’s adult drug court programs.
Members of the Senate also adopted SR 44 to designate today as Down Syndrome Awareness Day at the Capitol, SR 45 to also designate today as Preston County Day at the Capitol, SR 46 to recognize Leadership Jefferson and SR 47 to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Monongalia County.
Senate Bills 243, 288, 339, 360 and 398 were advanced from second reading.
Of those bills, Senator Ron Stollings, D-Boone, made an amendment to SB 360 to have a dietician added to the diabetes coalition provided in the bill.
Committee Meetings Today
Energy, Industry and Mining: 2 p.m. in 208W
Health and Human Resources: 2 p.m. in 451M
Government Organization: 3 p.m. in 208W
Education: 3 p.m. in 451M
Judiciary: 4 p.m. in 208W
Finance: 4 p.m. in 451M
Transportation and Infrastructure: following adjournment of Senate Finance and Senate Judiciary in 451M
Judiciary: 6-8 p.m. in 208W
Committee Meetings Tomorrow
Government Organization: 8:30 a.m. in 208W
Interstate Cooperation: 10 a.m. in 451M
Workforce: 10 a.m. in 208W
Agriculture and Rural Development: 2 p.m. in 208W
Judiciary: 3 p.m. in 208W
Finance: 3 p.m. in 451M
Tax Reform: 5:30 p.m. in 451M
The Senate is adjourned until 11 a.m. tomorrow.
