The proposed bill aims to establish the Whistleblower Protection Fund Act in West Virginia, which is designed to encourage reporting of unethical practices in clinical inpatient medical treatment centers and opioid treatment programs. The bill outlines the importance of whistleblowers in exposing misconduct that threatens patient care and safety, and it emphasizes the need for a system that protects these individuals from retaliation. The Act will create a special fund within the State Treasury, known as the "Whistleblower Protection Fund," which will be administered by the Office of the Inspector General.

The fund will be financed through various sources, including legislative appropriations, donations, and grants from public health initiatives. The Inspector General is tasked with developing a public awareness campaign to promote whistleblowing and inform the public about the protections available to whistleblowers. Additionally, the Office of the Inspector General will be required to provide an annual report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health, detailing the activities funded by the Whistleblower Protection Fund, the number of reports made, and their outcomes. The Act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

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