WV STATEWIRECHARLESTON — Sen. Brian Helton (R-Fayette, 9) has introduced legislation aimed at safeguarding whistleblowers who report unethical practices in West Virginia’s clinical inpatient medical centers and opioid treatment programs.
The proposed Whistleblower Protection Fund Act, outlined in Senate Bill 212, would establish a special, interest-bearing fund within the state treasury to support public awareness campaigns encouraging the reporting of misconduct in medical and medication-assisted treatment facilities.
The Office of the Inspector General would administer the fund and oversee a campaign that may include advertisements, informational materials, social media outreach, and community promotions.
Under the bill, the Inspector General would provide an annual report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health detailing campaign activities, the number of reports made, and the outcomes of those reports.
If passed, the bill would take effect immediately.
