West Virginia coordinates health programs and school fitness efforts

The Office of Healthy Lifestyles coordinates health work across state agencies and reports on its progress each year. The office works with state agencies, community groups, and other organizations involved in healthy lifestyles. The office may seek grants and donations for its programs. The Secretary appoints the Healthy Lifestyle Coalition by July 1, 2026. The office reports each year by December 1.

The Department of Human Services, through the Bureau for Medical Services, must permit and encourage Medicaid managed care organizations to offer Food Is Medicine services. The direction applies to Medicaid managed care organizations operating in West Virginia. Services are designed for members with nutrition-related chronic diseases and may include nutrition advice, tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and groceries for medically appropriate diets. Where feasible and consistent with Medicaid requirements, the bureau encourages partnerships with community groups and use of food from West Virginia producers.

The Office of Healthy Lifestyles must develop a county grant program and publish its eligibility rules. The grants support county efforts to promote healthy lifestyles for West Virginia residents. The program prioritizes school applications that would increase participation in Farm-to-School. The office includes grant recipients, their plans, and how they used the money in its annual report.

Public schools must provide physical education at specified minimum levels, and schools may not take away students' physical activity as punishment for grades or behavior. The requirements cover children enrolled in West Virginia public schools, with different minimums for elementary, middle, and high school grades. Schools without enough certified teachers or suitable facilities, or that would need to significantly change academic offerings, may submit an alternate program for approval. The bill states that it takes effect 90 days after passage, on May 21, 2026.