West Virginia legislation · 2025 Regular Session
West Virginia HB3328: Require hospitals with no ASL interpreter on staff provide technology for hearing or speech impaired patients to communicate
Status: Introduced, March 12, 2025
The purpose of this bill is to require facilities provide patients and family members or caregivers of deaf and hard of hearing patients with effective means of communication assistance.
What the bill says
To amend to the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §16B-3-22, relating to requiring facilities provide patients and family members or caregivers of deal and hard of hearing patients with effective means of communication assistance; requiring hospitals without an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter on staff to provide technology to assist with communication for hearing or speech impaired patients and visitors; and requiring ASL interpreter be approved by the West Virginia Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing. ARTICLE 3. HOSPITALS AND SIMIL.
From the introduced text, March 12, 2025:
A BILL to amend to the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §16B-3-22, relating to requiring facilities provide patients and family members or caregivers of deal and hard of hearing patients with effective means of communication assistance; requiring hospitals without an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter on staff to provide technology to assist with communication for hearing or speech impaired patients and visitors; and requiring ASL interpreter be approved by the West Virginia Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing. ARTICLE 3. HOSPITALS AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS. §16B-3-22. Communication requirements for hearing and speech impaired. (a) The Legislature finds that every hospital, ambulatory health care facility, ambulatory surgical facility, or extended care facility operating under the provisions of this article must ensure effective communication with deaf and hard of hearing patients. This requirement is consistent with the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). (b) Facilities shall provide accessible communication services to patients who are deaf or hard of hearing that includes, but is not limited to: (1) Providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for consultations and appointments. (2) Providing assistive listening devices and communication technology. (3) Ensuring that all medical forms and documents are available in accessible formats, including captions or large print. (4) Installing visual alarm systems in hospitals or healthcare …