This bill proposes the addition of a new article to the Code of West Virginia, titled the Medical Informed Consent Act, which mandates that all medical treatment providers in the state must provide oral information to patients regarding all possible treatment plans, including potential risks, complications, and side effects. The bill outlines the requirements for informed consent, emphasizing that patients must be fully informed about their medical options and allowed to make voluntary decisions regarding their treatment. It also establishes definitions for key terms such as "informed consent," "health care provider," and "license."

Furthermore, the bill creates specific rights for patients, including the obligation for health care providers and facilities to inform patients about their rights and the process for filing complaints. It introduces monetary penalties for non-compliance, with a tiered fine structure based on the nature of the violation, ranging from corrective action for unintentional first violations to fines for subsequent violations or intentional breaches. The Department of Health is tasked with publishing a summary of patient rights and ensuring that patients are informed of their rights during the admission process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-3E-1, 16-3E-2, 16-3E-3, 16-3E-4