As of 4 p.m., Friday, February 24, 2017, the 17th day of the regular session of the 83rd Legislature, 707 bills have been introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates. Of those bills, 14 have passed and have been sent to the Senate for further consideration. Among those 12 did so this week:
HB 2447 renames the Court of Claims as the state Claims Commission and renames the judge as commissioners. It provides the explicit powers for the removal of commissioners and authority to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance for the hiring of a clerk, chief deputy clerk, and deputy clerks. It also shortens the procedure for certain road condition claims.
HB 2404 keeps persons who are convicted of certain criminal offenses from acquiring property from their victims through joint tenancy or inheritance. This would help to protect the elderly from not being victimized.
HB 2465 modifies the requirements that allow a child witness to testify by closed circuit television. It also defines what a closed circuit television is, defines someone who has an intellectual disability that causes the person to function under the age of sixteen as a “Child Witness,” and has other more specific definitions as well.
HB 2167 creates a Silver Alert program for senior citizens. It sets guidelines to be met before a Silver Alert can be activated. A Silver Alert would inform the public of a missing cognitively impaired person or a missing senior citizen.
HB 2300 regulates the use of step therapy protocols by providing a simple and quick process for exceptions to the protocols that the health care provider deems not in the best interests of the patient.
HB 2301 permits individuals to enter into agreements for direct primary care with an individual or other legal entity authorized to provide primary care services, outside of an insurance plan or outside of the Medicaid or Medicare program and pay for the care.
HB 2318 strengthens and establishes criminal offenses relating to human trafficking. It gives more specific definitions for much of the code that would cause those who violate the law I this way to be able to prosecuted to larger extent.
HB 2347 allows schools licensed to provide barber, cosmetology and related training to hold theory classes and clinical classes at different locations and prohibit schools from being established in salons, spas, and similar locations.
HB 2348 eliminates any requirement that class hours of students be consecutive when studying professions regulated by the board of Barbers and Cosmetologists.
HB 2431 allows influenza immunizations to be offered to patients and residents if specified facilities on a voluntary basis based upon recommendations of the Center for Disease Control.
HB 2303 increases the penalties for littering. Maximum amount of time and fine penalties would be able to be more than doubled. Up to 100 hours from 16 hours for the maximum penalties for community service and up to $2,500 maximum fine from $1,000.
HB 2319 requires legislators to disclose contributions and fund-raising events while the Legislature is in session. Information must be provided within 5 days of the event or receipt of contribution.
Additional House Bills
HB 2619 would adopt the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Risk Management and Own Risk Solvency Assessment Model Act for implementation by West Virginia insurers so that they are better equipped to assess their financial condition and remain solvent. If passed, this bill would take effect January 1, 2018. This bill will be reported to the floor with do recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to the Judiciary Committee.
HB 2471 would require insurance coverage for breast cancer screening be provided by the Public Employees Insurance Agency, accident and sickness insurance providers, group accident and sickness insurance providers. If passed, this bill would take effect January 1, 2018. This bill is to help with the “next step” after an issue is found in a mammogram. It would help cover the ultra sound to discover the details of the issue. This bill will be reported to the floor with the recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to Finance Committee.
HB 2460 would require telehealth services be treated the same as in person treatment. This bill will be reported to the floor with the recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources.
