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HB 5581WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead
Did Not Advance

West Virginia adds infantile GM1 gangliosidosis to mandatory newborn screening tests under House Bill 5581

Original title: Relating to newborn screening (Dawson’s Law)

Last action · February 16, 2026: To House Health and Human ResourcesSponsor: Kathie Hess Crouse

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Official description

Relating to newborn screening (Dawson’s Law)

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.

Directly affected

Newborn children

Newborn children must be tested for infantile GM1 gangliosidosis at birth.

Directly affected

Hospitals and birthing centers

Hospitals and birthing centers must ensure infants are tested for the newly added condition and receive reimbursement from insurers.

Directly affected

Health insurers

Health insurers must provide coverage and reimbursement for newborn screenings to birthing facilities.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What new condition is added to the newborn screening requirements?
is added to the list of mandatory newborn screening tests.
Who is responsible for ensuring the newborn is tested?
The hospital or birthing center where the infant is born, the parents or legal guardians, the attending physician, or any person attending the newborn child must ensure the screening takes place.
Are health insurance plans required to cover these newborn screenings?
Yes, screenings must be covered and reimbursed by PEIA, CHIP, Medicaid, and all health insurers licensed under chapter thirty-three that include pregnancy coverage.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions
  1. Feb 16, 2026HouseCommittee
    To House Health and Human Resources
  2. Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Introduced in House
  3. Feb 16, 2026HouseCommittee
    To Health and Human Resources
  4. Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroduced
    Filed 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

Kathie Hess CrouseHouse · District 19RepublicanPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

Medicaid, Public Employees Insurance Agency, Bureau for Public Health
OrganizationMedicaid“Required to reimburse birthing facilities for covered newborn screenings.”Map →
OrganizationPublic Employees Insurance Agency“Required to reimburse birthing facilities for covered newborn screenings.”Map →
OrganizationBureau for Public Health“State agency responsible for specifying diseases for newborn screening and propo”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.wvlegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance20
    Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
  • Controversy5
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment2
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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