This bill proposes the addition of a new article to the Code of West Virginia, specifically aimed at establishing a limitation of civil liability for academic medical centers and teaching hospitals affiliated with medical and dental schools. The article outlines the findings and declarations of purpose, emphasizing the critical shortage of healthcare providers in West Virginia and the importance of training and retaining these professionals within the state. It highlights the role of academic medical centers and teaching hospitals in providing essential clinical training and supporting healthcare education, while also recognizing the need to fairly compensate individuals who suffer injuries.

The bill includes specific definitions for terms such as "academic medical center," "claim," "personnel," and "teaching hospital." It mandates that these institutions maintain liability insurance of at least $2 million per occurrence and limits their liability for claims to the amount of this insurance. The provisions apply to all relevant institutions for causes of action filed on or after May 1, 2025, and clarify that the new article does not waive or limit any other legal immunities or protections that these entities may have.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 55-7L-1, 55-7L-2, 55-7L-3, 55-7L-4, 55-7L-5