West Virginia law authorizes rules for health services and care facilities

The law authorizes health agencies to put specified rules into effect, including rules for health services, licenses, fees, and care facilities. The authorizations cover specified rules from the Department of Health, the Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Health Facilities, including rules for water wells, lead work, emergency medical services, laboratory services, local health boards, nursing homes, assisted living, and state mental health facilities. The enrolled bill says it takes effect from passage.

The expedited partner therapy rule includes bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas vaginalis, and its stated end date is 2032. These provisions apply to the Department of Health’s expedited partner therapy rule. The rule’s stated termination year is 2032.

Assisted living residents may use approved video call equipment in private rooms, and the rule defines what counts as a serious injury. These provisions concern residents and facilities covered by the assisted living rule. A serious injury requires medical attention beyond routine first aid. Residents must tell the facility about the equipment, get facility approval, and follow its rules on notice and privacy. Residents must accept or start each call. Continuous video feeds and hidden cameras are not allowed.

The medication assistive personnel rule covers dial-up insulin pens and treats setting a prescribed dose as a routine task, not a clinical judgment. This applies to approved medication assistive personnel performing delegated medication tasks. The amount set must be the amount prescribed.

The public health advisory committee advises the commissioner, helps develop tools to assess local health boards, and gives input on training. Members include local health, county, state, and technical representatives, as well as a member without state employment or commercial involvement in well drilling or pump installation. The commissioner appoints nine members through the selection process in the rule. The committee must meet at least six times each year. Members serve two-year terms and may serve no more than four consecutive terms.