This bill aims to amend and reenact section 18C-3-3 of the Code of West Virginia to establish the Behavioral Health Workforce Education Initiative under the Higher Education Policy Commission. The initiative will focus on addressing the supply and demand of behavioral health professionals in West Virginia by analyzing the availability of various practitioners, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. It will also incentivize careers in behavioral health through funding for residency programs, clinical training placements, and internship stipends, all contingent upon agreements to practice in underserved areas of the state. Additionally, the bill creates a special revenue fund for the Mental Health Provider Student Loan Repayment Program, which will assist mental health providers working in these areas.

Key changes in the bill include the establishment of the Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative, which will coordinate efforts to increase the number of behavioral health professionals in West Virginia. The initiative will also support new graduates by enhancing access to supervision for licensure and increasing training in telehealth techniques. The bill introduces new definitions related to behavioral health and pipeline programs aimed at encouraging students to pursue careers in this field. Overall, the legislation seeks to strengthen the behavioral health workforce in West Virginia and improve access to mental health services across the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18C-3-3