The bill introduced on March 5, 2025, amends the Code of West Virginia to abolish methadone clinics and revise the licensing and registration requirements for medication-assisted treatment programs. It redefines "medication-assisted treatment program" and "medication-assisted treatment medication" to explicitly exclude opioid agonists, thereby prohibiting any program from using or prescribing these substances. The bill establishes a licensing process for opioid treatment programs and office-based medication-assisted treatment programs, requiring them to obtain licenses from the Director of the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification. It also outlines specific documentation requirements for applicants and emphasizes compliance with established regulations.

Additionally, the bill introduces a provision that prohibits any entity from operating a medication-assisted treatment program that utilizes or prescribes opioid agonists, effectively making methadone clinics illegal. It specifies that programs treating no more than 30 patients may be exempt from certain registration requirements under specific conditions. The bill mandates clear documentation for physicians treating patients with buprenorphine and allows for certain telehealth services. It also establishes civil penalties for violations, with fines up to $20,000 for serious infractions, and grants the director the authority to limit, suspend, or revoke licenses for non-compliance, thereby enhancing oversight and compliance within medication-assisted treatment programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16B-13-2, 16B-13-3, 16B-13-4, 16B-13-5, 16B-13-9