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SB212 • 2026
Creating Whistleblower Protection Fund Act
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Creating Whistleblower Protection Fund Act
To Government Organization
Introduced in Senate
To Government Organization then Finance
Filed for introduction
Creating Whistleblower Protection Fund Act
SB 212 Text skip navigation SENATE PRESIDENT SENATORS COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS SENATE CLERK SENATE RULES HOUSE SPEAKER DELEGATES COMMITTEES VIDEO/AUDIO DISTRICT MAPS HOUSE CLERK HOUSE RULES HOUSE STAFF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATOR LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC INFORMATION LEGISLATIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS DIVISION LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & RESEARCH DIVISION POST AUDIT DIVISION BUDGET DIVISION REGULATORY AND FISCAL AFFAIRS DIVISION CLAIMS COMMISSION CRIME VICTIMS RULE-MAKING REVIEW SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS JUDICIAL COMP. COMMISSION JOINT RULES STAFF INFO BILL STATUS BILL STATUS BILL TRACKING STATE LAW WEST VIRGINIA CODE ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE CODE OF 1931 WV CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTION REPORTS AGENCY REPORTS AGENCY GRANT AWARDS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS POST AUDITS EDUCATIONAL CITIZEN’S GUIDE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PAGE PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS PHOTO GALLERY CAPITOL HISTORY HOW A BILL BECOMES LAW CONTACT SENATE ROSTER HOUSE ROSTER PUBLIC INFO. NEWS RELEASES HELPFUL LINKS Introduced Version Senate Bill 212 History | Email Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE 2026 REGULAR SESSION FISCAL NOTE Introduced Senate Bill 212 By Senator Helton [Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to the Committee on Government Organization; and then to the Committee on Finance] A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §16B-22-1, §16B-22-2, §16B-22-3, §16B-22-4, §16B-22-5, §16B-22-6, and §16B-22-7, relating to creating the Whistleblower Protection Fund Act; providing the short title; establishing its findings and purpose; establishing the fund; providing the fund’s sources of funding; requiring the Office of the Inspector General to administer the fund; setting forth reporting requirements; and establishing an effective date. Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: ARTICLE 22. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION FUND ACT . §16B-22-1. Short title. This article shall be known as and may be cited as the Whistleblower Protection Fund Act. §16B-22-2. Findings and purpose. (a) The Legislature recognizes the importance of ensuring ethical practices in clinical inpatient medical treatment centers; office-based, medication-assisted treatment programs; and opioid treatment programs, as defined in §16B-13-2 of this code. (b) The Legislature further recognizes that whistleblowers play a crucial role in exposing misconduct in these facilities that jeopardizes patient care and safety. (c) It is essential to create a system that encourages individuals to report unethical or illegal activities without fear of retaliation. §16B-22-3. Establishment of the Whistleblower Protection Fund. (a) There is hereby created a special fund within the State Treasury to be known as the "Whistleblower Protection Fund", which shall be an interest-bearing account. (b) The Inspector General, or his or her designee, shall use the fund to support advertising efforts that promote the reporting of unethical practices in the facilities named in §16B-33-2 of this code. §16B-22-4. Sources of funding. The fund shall consist of: (1) Appropriations by the Legislature; (2) Donations from individuals and organizations; (3) Grants from federal or state programs that support public health initiatives; and (4) Any other sources of funding. §16B-22-5. Fund administration . (a) The Office of the Inspector General shall administer and maintain the fund. (b) The Inspector General, or his or her designee, shall develop and implement a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the importance of whistleblowing and the protections available to whistleblowers. (c) The public awareness campaign may include, but is not limited to: (1) Advertisements; (2) Informational materials; (3) Social media outreach; and (4) Promotions and outreach programs. §16B-22-6. Reporting. The Office of the Inspector General shall provide an annual report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health detailing: (1) The campaign activities funded by the Whistleblower Protection Fund in that year, (2) The number of reports made, and (3) The outcome of those reports. §16B-22-7. Effective date . This act shall take effect immediately upon its passage. NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to create the Whistleblower Protection Fund Act. Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added. Bill Status | Bill Tracking | Legacy WV Code | Bulletin Board | District Maps | Senate Roster | House Roster | Live | Blog | Jobs | Links | Home This Web site is maintained by the West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. | Terms of Use | Webmaster | © 2026 West Virginia Legislature ** Print On Demand Name: Email: Phone: