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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia authorizes Department of Health Facilities to enact mental health patient rights rule
Last action · January 14, 2026: To House Health and Human ResourcesSponsor: Doug Smith
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What This Bill Proposed
West Virginia authorizes the Department of Health Facilities to adopt a concerning patient rights at state-operated mental health facilities, following a filing in the State Register on July 25, 2025.
Enables the implementation of specific administrative regulations governing patient rights and standards within state-run mental health institutions.
- The West Virginia Legislature convenes annually to review and authorize administrative rules proposed by state agencies before they take full effect. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of Health Facilities
The department receives legislative authorization to promulgate and implement a specific rule regarding patient rights.
patients at state-operated mental health facilities
Their rights and operational standards at state facilities are governed by the newly authorized legislative rule.
Key Facts
- The bill authorizes the Department of Health Facilities to promulgate a legislative rule concerning patient rights at state-operated mental health facilities.
- The authorized legislative rule was filed in the State Register on July 25, 2025.
- The authorization falls under the authority of §27-5-9 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931.
- The measure amends and reenacts §64-5C-1 of the Code of West Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does House Bill 4229 do?
When was the underlying rule filed in the State Register?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Jan 14, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Health and Human Resources
- Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Jan 14, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Health and Human Resources
- Jan 14, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 40)
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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