NASW WV 2025 Legislative Updates

📢 ACTION ALERT: Urgent—Tell WV Senators to Reject SB 299!

WV Senators are disregarding WV mental health professionals and best practices in favor of out-of-state, anti-LGBTQ+ interest groups. SB 299 will strip already narrow mental health exceptions for life-saving care from transgender youth by banning the use of puberty blockers—despite overwhelming evidence that this care reduces suicide risk.

Last week, the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee ignored testimony from West Virginia’s own mental health professionals and experts and instead relied on three individuals from national groups/out-of-state pushing to eliminate gender-affirming care. They dismissed data, best practices recognized by national medical and mental health professional associations, and the voices of those who actually serve transgender and nonbinary youth in our state.

The data is clear: restricting access to evidenced based best practices surrounding this care increases the risk of suicide among transgender youth. According to a 2022 study by The Trevor Project, 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in the previous year, and access to gender-affirming care has been shown to significantly reduce these risks. A 2021 study published in JAMA Pediatrics (Journal of the American Medical Association) found that puberty blockers were associated with a 73% lower risk of suicidal ideation among transgender and nonbinary youth. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Association of Social Workers all recognize gender-affirming care as evidence-based, lifesaving treatment, along with many other professional associations.

📢 We Need Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, and Advocates to Act NOW!

If you are a licensed mental health professional in West Virginia, your voice is critical. The Senate Judiciary Committee will be reviewing this bill today at 3pm, and they need to hear from the professionals who provide direct care—not from outside groups with a political agenda. 

✍️ Take Action: Contact Your Senator & Submit a Statement

1️⃣ Call or email your Senator and tell them to oppose SB 299—this bill directly contradicts best practices in mental health care.

2️⃣ Call the Senate Judiciary Committee Members explaining why gender-affirming care is essential and evidence-based. Senate Judiciary Committee Members Contact Information: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/committees/senate/SenateCommittee.cfm?Chart=jud

3️⃣ Share this alert with colleagues and fellow advocates to ensure lawmakers hear from real experts, not political operatives.

📩 Find your senator & contact them here: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Senate1/roster.cfm

🏳️‍⚧️ Transgender youth deserve care based on science and compassion—not political games. Act now!

click the link below to send a message to your delegates today:

https://app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-page?cid=A5UmNJUBKqtrzFaETDOU&lang=en

2.23.25

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• allow foster and adoptive parents to refuse to affirm or support a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity, even if it harms the child.
• prevent the department of human services from ensuring lgbtq+ children are placed in supportive homes.
• make it harder to protect kids from placements that could be emotionally or psychologically damaging.

• call or email your delegate and urge them to vote no on hb 2033—this bill puts kids at risk.
• spread the word to fellow social workers and advocates.
• find your delegates here: https://www.wvlegislature.gov/house/roster.cfm

2.21.25

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________