West VirginiaTreatment programs offer long-acting birth control to recovering patients
Since May 21, 2026, treatment programs serving people recovering from addiction must offer birth control counseling and refer patients elsewhere if they lack trained staff or equipment.
What it does
Medication-assisted treatment programs offer long-acting birth control and personal counseling to patients recovering from addiction. Programs without trained staff or needed equipment must refer patients to a clinic that can provide the service.
Argument forPatients recovering from addiction could get personal, non-pressured counseling to help them choose birth control that fits their needs and preferences.
Argument againstPatients may have to travel to another clinic for birth control if their treatment program lacks a trained provider or the needed equipment.
More detail
Medication-assisted treatment programs must offer long-acting birth control and counseling. This applies to medication-assisted treatment programs serving patients recovering from addiction. Counseling must be available to male and female patients. Counseling must support informed choice, fit each patient's needs and preferences, and include screening for possible health risks. Programs without a trained provider or needed equipment must refer patients to a provider or clinic that can provide the service. The law took effect 90 days after passage, on May 21, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 181, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 2Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 2/27/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Mar 2Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 2/27/2026 - Senate JournalMajor
- Feb 27Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 2/27/2026Became Law
- Feb 25To Governor 2/23/2026 - Senate JournalTo Governor
- Feb 23To Governor 2/23/2026Minor
- Feb 21House Message received
- Feb 20Completed legislative action
- Vote recorded PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 20Communicated to Senate
- Feb 20House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 132)
- Feb 20House received Senate message
- Feb 19Senate requests House to concur
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Title amendment adopted
- Feb 19Passed Senate (Roll No. 152)Passed Senate
- Feb 19Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 19On 3rd reading
- Feb 18Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
- Feb 18Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 18On 2nd reading
- Feb 17Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 17On 1st reading
- Feb 16Reported do pass, with amendmentMinor
- Jan 28To Health and Human ResourcesMinor
- Jan 28To Health and Human ResourcesMinor
- Jan 28Introduced in SenateMinor
- Jan 27Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 27Passed House (Roll No. 18)Passed House
- Jan 27Read 3rd timeMinor
- Jan 27On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 26On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 23Amendment ruled not germane
- Jan 23Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Jan 23Amendment rejected (Voice vote)Minor
- Jan 23Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Jan 23Amendment rejected (Voice vote)Minor
- Jan 23Amendment reported by the Clerk
- Jan 23Read 2nd timeMinor
- Jan 23On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 22Postponed on 2nd reading, Special Calendar, until 1/23/2026
- Jan 22On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 21Read 1st timeMinor
- Jan 21On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Jan 20By substitute, do pass
- Jan 15Markup Discussion
- Jan 14To House Health and Human ResourcesMinor
- Jan 14Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 14To Health and Human ResourcesMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
HealthcareReproductive Rights