For several months, the foundation tasked with distributing most of West Virginia’s $1 billion in opioid settlement money has faced criticism for not being transparent enough in how it has conducted its business.
On Thursday, the House Health and Human Resources Committee advanced a bill to change that by requiring the West Virginia First Foundation be subject to state open meetings and public records.
HB 4593 is sponsored by the committee’s chair Del. Amy Summers, R-Taylor, and co-sponsored by House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, among other delegates.
“That was an easy decision for me: This is public money and in West Virginia, entities that spend public money typically meet in public,” Hanshaw said in an emailed statement.
Members of the committee approved the bill on a unanimous voice vote. It now goes to the House Judiciary Committee, and if it passes there it will go to the full House of Delegates.
Read more
The state has reached several settlements with companies that it accused of fueling or profiting off of the opioid epidemic. But the state’s written agreement with those companies does not explicitly state whether meetings of the nonprofit’s governing body shall be open to the general public. It does say that meetings “should” be open.
The foundation is charged with distributing nearly three-quarters of $1 billion in funds to communities and regions for “opioid abatement” approved uses. This could include things like prevention programs, peer recovery coaches, training for healthcare providers who treat pregnant women with substance use disorder, anti-stigma media campaigns, medication assisted treatment for uninsured people, treatment for people in jail, drug disposal programs and law enforcement efforts.
Another 24.5% goes straight to local governments and 3% will pay for litigation fees.
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, whose office reached the settlements with the companies, has not expressed a public stance on the legislation. Morrisey’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
At least one West Virginia town, Shinnston, initially planned to use the money for an unapproved use, the demolition of dilapidated and abandoned buildings. Under the agreement, counties will also be able to use their portion of the settlements on jail bills which public health officials say would further the epidemic.