Senate 169

WEST virginia legislature

2025 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 169

By Senator Chapman

[Reported February 26 2025, from the Committee on Health and Human Resources]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §9-5-34, relating to increasing the Medicaid personal needs allowance; establishing legislative findings; defining the term “personal needs allowance”; and setting the effective date to July 1, 2026.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

§9-5-34. Medicaid personal needs allowance.

(a) Legislative findings. – The Legislature finds that for the purpose of providing dignity for our elderly citizens, the Medicaid personal needs allowance should be increased. By increasing the personal needs allowance, senior citizens would be entitled to money for their personal needs, such as clothing, denture supplies, and other necessities.

(b) Definition. – “Personal needs allowance” means the amount of monthly income a Medicaid-funded nursing home resident can keep of their personal income to spend on personal items and services. This includes, but is not limited to, cosmetic services, personal clothing, flowers and plants, and gifts purchased on behalf of a resident.

(c) Enactment. – The Medicaid personal needs allowance shall be increased to $150 per month, effective July 1, 2026.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to increase the Medicaid personal needs allowance starting July 1, 2026.

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