SB 1003 — Creating regional pediatric mental health hubs

CS for SB 1003 WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION IntroducedCommittee FISCALSubstitute for Senate Bill 1003 NOTE By Senator Helton [Introduced[Reported February 19,24, 2026;2026, from the Committee on Health and Human Resources] CS for SB 1003 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §9-11-1, §9-11-2, and §9-11-3, relating to creating regional pediatric mental health hubs;

referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources;

and then to the Committee on Finance] Intr SB 1003 2026R4276S 2026R4111H A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §9-11-1, §9-11-2, and §9-11-3, relating to requiring the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to establish a “home first” mental health framework;

creating regional pediatric mental health hubs;

It is the policy of this state that no child under the age of 12 mayshould be removed from their home for mental health reasons solely because community-based resources were unavailable.

The Statestate shall prioritize funding for in-home clinical support.

The Secretary of Human Services state shall establish three Regionalregional Pediatricpediatric Mentalmental Healthhealth Hubshubs (Northern, Southern, and Central).

(1) Maintain a real-time directory;directory for services in their area;

(2) Maintain a live map of every available pediatric counselor and their current wait time;time for services in their area;

(3) Provide "Bridge"bridge Coaching:coaching to the parent that shall include providing the parent with a behavioral health coach within 48 hours of first contact to help manage the crisis at home during the time the child is on a waitlist for a physician appointment or is scheduled for a future appointment;

While a child is on a waitlist for a doctor, the state shall provide the parent with a behavioral health coach within 48 hours to help manage the crisis at home;

(4) Establish secure telehealth kiosks in rural county health departments so parents without high-speed internet can access specialistsspecialty inappointments. Morgantown or Charleston.

Intr SB 1003 2026R4276S 2026R4111H NOTE:

The purpose of this bill is to establish a "Home-First" mental health framework and create Regional Pediatric Mental Health Hubs Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.