Bill
HB 5449
HB 5449 repeals West Virginia’s Addiction Treatment Pilot Program, eliminating its funding, governance, and reporting requirements.
HB 5449 (West Virginia, 2026) – Repealing the Addiction Treatment Pilot Program
Overview
- Purpose: Eliminate the Addiction Treatment Pilot Program in West Virginia.
- Status: As of the provided action history, the bill has progressed through several committee and floor steps in early 2026, including markup discussions and passage through House committees and readings, with placement on House Calendar in February 2026.
Key Provisions and Changes
- Repeal of Pilot Program: The bill repeals the Addiction Treatment Pilot Program. The text is not fully displayed here, but the title indicates a complete removal of the pilot initiative.
- Consequences of repeal: By repealing the program, any statutory authorizations, funding streams, administrative structures, and reporting requirements tied to the pilot program would be terminated or removed from law.
- Related administrative actions: Repeal typically involves removing program-specific definitions, funding authorizations, and any evaluation or reporting mandates associated with the pilot.
Who/What is Affected
- State agencies and departments that administer or oversee addiction treatment pilot activities would be affected by the repeal.
- Participants and providers involved in activities under the pilot program would be indirectly affected, as the program would no longer operate.
- State budget and appropriations that funded the pilot would be impacted, removing dedicated pilot funding from the state’s fiscal plan.
- Stakeholders in addiction treatment policy, including public health officials, treatment providers, and advocates, would need to adjust to the program's removal.
Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Introduction and referral: Introduced February 11, 2026, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
- Committee actions: Underwent markup and discussions in February 2026, indicating consideration of the repeal terms.
- Floor actions: Progressed through House readings and calendar placements in February 2026, with “do pass” in committee and subsequent readings, signaling movement toward potential floor vote.
- Next steps (typical for repeal bills): If passed by the House, the bill would move to the Senate (if applicable in WV) for consideration, potentially undergo amendments, and would require signature by the governor to become law. After enactment, the repeal would take effect on a specified effective date (often a date stated within the bill or the date of enactment, depending on the text).
Notes and Considerations
- Financial impact: Repealing the pilot could free up or reallocate funds previously dedicated to the program; however, it could also affect ongoing commitments or contracts tied to the pilot.
- Policy context: The repeal eliminates a targeted, time-limited approach to addiction treatment experimentation; readers should consider how the state will address gaps or needs previously addressed by the pilot, and whether other programs will fill those roles.
Summary
HB 5449 aims to remove West Virginia’s Addiction Treatment Pilot Program from the statute, including related governance, funding, and reporting structures. The bill traversed early 2026 committee and floor steps, suggesting active consideration with potential implications for state funding, program administration, and stakeholders in addiction treatment policy.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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