The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish new requirements for opioid treatment programs, specifically mandating the provision of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) to patients recovering from addiction. It outlines the necessity for shared decision-making contraceptive counseling that is non-coercive and tailored to individual patient needs. Additionally, the bill ensures that medical assessments and referrals are available for patients who need LARC but lack access to a qualified provider. This integration of reproductive health services aims to enhance the quality of care for patients in recovery.

Moreover, the bill updates operational requirements for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, including stipulations that prohibit associations with physicians whose Drug Enforcement Administration numbers are inactive or who have had their licenses denied. It requires that any change in the treating physician or counselor necessitates a new agreement, and that care coordination agreements be reviewed or updated annually. The bill also emphasizes the security of prescription blanks, mandates reporting of any theft or loss within 24 hours, and includes specific regulations for prescribing liquid methadone and buprenorphine. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the standards of care and compliance within addiction treatment programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16B-13-5
Committee Substitute: 16B-13-3, 16B-13-5
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 16B-13-3, 16B-13-5
Engrossed Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 16B-13-3, 16B-13-5