The bill introduced on January 27, 2026, seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 17C-2-10, which allows allopathic and osteopathic physicians to be exempt from certain traffic laws while responding to emergency calls. Specifically, the exemption applies to provisions 17C-6-1, 17C-6-2, and 17C-6-3, provided that the physician's vehicle displays an approved emblem indicating it is owned by the licensed physician and is responding to an emergency.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes that physicians must still drive with due regard for the safety of all individuals on the road and will not be protected from consequences if they act with reckless disregard for safety. The West Virginia Board of Medicine and the West Virginia Osteopathic Board are tasked with proposing rules for legislative approval, which will outline the criteria for requesting the emblem, the grounds for its use, and penalties for inappropriate use.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17C-2-10