WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2609

By Delegates Mallow, Conley, Forsht, Horst, Miller and Holstein

[Introduced February 19, 2021; Referred to the Committee on Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse then Health and Human Resources]

A BILL amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-5T-7, relating to establishing quick response teams under the Office of Drug Control Policy to act as first responders in narcotic related medical emergencies.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 5T. Office of Drug Control Policy.

§16-5T-7.  Establishment of quick response teams.

Subject to the policy requirements of this article, and in coordination with health care providers, law-enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, and health care facilities of this state, the Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy shall establish a plan for creating quick response teams (QRT) to serve as a first responder unit in narcotic-related medical emergencies effective July 1, 2021. A quick response team shall be trained to serve and to work with drug addicted persons immediately following their arrest at the regional jails, or at a treatment facility, to address a first step to recovery for those suffering from substance abuse.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish quick response teams (QRT) under the Office of Drug Control Policy to act as first responders in narcotic related medical emergencies.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.