WV HB5097

Hospitals, ambulatory health care facilities, ambulatory surgical facilities, and extended care facilities must ensure effective communication with deaf and hard of hearing patients consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act

Facilities must provide ASL interpreters for consultations, assistive listening devices, medical forms in accessible formats (captions or large print), and visual alarm systems

When an ASL interpreter is unavailable, facilities must provide assistive technologies such as hearing loops, captioning services, visual alert systems, or video relay services

ASL interpreters working in covered facilities must be approved by the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Noncompliance is reportable to licensing authorities, with the law taking effect upon passage