WV Code § 16-52-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 16. Public Health|Article 52. Coalition for Responsible Pain Management|§16-52-4. Powers and Duties of the Coalition for Responsible Chronic Pain Management

(a) The Coalition for Responsible Chronic Pain Management shall:(1) Meet at least quarterly, or at the call of the chairman. A quorum shall be a simple majority of the coalition.(2) Keep accurate records of the actions of the coalition.(3) Make recommendations to the Legislature as required by this article.(b) At a minimum, the coalition shall:(1) Undertake a review of chronic pain regulations contained in article five-h of this chapter and any legislative rules promulgated pursuant to said article to ascertain if a less cumbersome, but equally or more effective manner exists to provide necessary regulation of prescriber practices characterized as pain clinics.(2) Review the statutory provisions of the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database provided for in article nine, chapter sixty-a of this code. The purpose of this review is to ascertain if there is a more effective manner for prescribers to access the database which would provide sufficient regulation over the prescription of chronic pain medication while still allowing access to patients with established chronic pain conditions. (3) Provide guidance to the Legislature on potential statutory solutions relative to regulation of chronic pain medications.(4) Consult with a quality improvement organization.(5) Establish workgroups and clinical advisory committees as the coalition deems necessary to address pertinent issues related to chronic pain management and to provide consistency in the development of further regulation.(6) Consult with entities and persons with a particular expertise as the coalition deems necessary in the fulfillment of their duties. This can include public and private sector partnerships.(7) Offer any additional guidance to the Legislature which the coalition sees is within its scope which would further enhance the provider patient relationship in the effective treatment and management of chronic pain.(8) Make recommendations regarding regulations of wholesalers of controlled substances or terminal distributors of dangerous drugs.(9) Provide insight into whether “take back” programs or limitations on prescriber furnished controlled substances would be effective in this state.(10) The coalition shall report its findings to the Joint Committee on Health by December 31, 2017, and annually thereafter until the coalition terminates pursuant to the provisions of this article. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:(A) Conclusions and recommendations to promote a better means for regulation of chronic pain clinics while protecting the rights and needs of chronic pain patients.(B) Recommendations for statutory and regulatory modifications.(C) Identification of any action which may be taken by the Legislature to better foster a balance between the clinical judgment of prescribers and the needs of chronic pain patients and the state interest in maintaining an effective regulatory structure.(D) Any other ancillary issues relative to chronic pain management.