The proposed bill aims to establish the Whistleblower Protection Fund Act in West Virginia, which includes the creation of a special revenue fund dedicated to supporting whistleblowers who report unethical or illegal activities in clinical inpatient medical treatment centers and opioid treatment programs. The bill outlines the importance of whistleblowers in maintaining ethical practices and patient safety, and it emphasizes the need for a system that encourages reporting without fear of retaliation. The fund will be administered by the Office of the Inspector General, which will also be responsible for promoting awareness about whistleblowing through various outreach efforts.

The Whistleblower Protection Fund will be financed through legislative appropriations, donations, grants, and other sources. The Inspector General is tasked with developing a public awareness campaign to inform the public about whistleblowing protections and the significance of reporting unethical practices. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Office of the Inspector General report annually to the Joint Standing Committee on Health, detailing campaign activities, the number of reports received, and their outcomes, starting from June 30, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16B-22-1, 16B-22-2, 16B-22-3, 16B-22-4, 16B-22-5, 16B-22-6, 16B-22-7
Committee Substitute: 16B-22-1, 16B-22-2, 16B-22-3, 16B-22-4, 16B-22-5, 16B-22-6