# W. Va. Code § 16B-3-15: Hospital visitation

> West Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S15

## Section

- **Citation:** W. Va. Code § 16B-3-15
- **Heading:** Hospital visitation
- **Jurisdiction:** West Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** WV Code / Chapter 16B / Article 3 / Section 15

## Text

(a) A public or private hospital licensed pursuant to the provisions of §16B-3-2 of this code is required to permit patient visitation privileges for nonrelatives unless otherwise requested by the patient or legal designee. For purposes of this section, the term "legal designee" means and includes those persons 18 years of age or older, and appointed by the patient to make health care decisions for the patient pursuant to the provisions of §16-30-6 of this code.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that this section facilitate a patient's visitation with nonrelative individuals, and may not, in any way, restrict or limit allowable uses and disclosures of protected health information pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 42 U.S.C. §1320d-2 and the accompanying regulations in 45 CFR 164.500.

(c) No provision of this section may be construed to prevent a hospital from otherwise restricting visitation privileges in order to prevent harm to the patient or disruption to the facility.

## Nearby sections

- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-1 §16B-3-1. Health facilities and certain other facilities operated in connection therewith to obtain license; exemptions; meaning of hospital, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S1.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-2 §16B-3-2. Hospitals and institutions to obtain license; qualifications of applicant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S2.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-3 §16B-3-3. Application for license.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S3.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-4 §16B-3-4. License fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S4.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-5 §16B-3-5. Inspection.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S5.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-5A §16B-3-5a. Accreditation reports accepted for periodic license inspection.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S5A.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-6 §16B-3-6. Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification to issue licenses; suspension or revocation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S6.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-7 §16B-3-7. Judicial review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S7.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-8 §16B-3-8. Inspector General to establish standards; director enforces.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S8.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-9 §16B-3-9. Hospitals and similar institutions required to supply patients, upon request, with one specifically itemized statement of charges assessed to patient, at no cost to patient.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S9.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-10 §16B-3-10. Information not to be disclosed; exception.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S10.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-11 §16B-3-11. Violations; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S11.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-12 §16B-3-12. Injunction; severability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S12.md)
- [W. Va. Code § 16B-3-13 §16B-3-13. Hospital-based paternity program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S13.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WV_C16B_A3_S15. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.