CHARLESTON, W.Va (WDTV) – The final months of 2024 saw multiple municipalities in our viewing area pushing for a camping ordinance, fining those who are caught camping on public property.
Both Clarksburg and Morgantown city council members voted to pass the ordinances in their respective cities amidst backlash from members of the community, leading Morgantown council members to make the ordinance part of the spring 2025 ballot due to a petition that was found to be sufficient.
Now, the controversial issue has made its way to the Legislature with House Bill 2382, which was passed through the house on Tuesday, looks to make the camping ban statewide.
The bill, cosponsored by delegate Bryan Smith of the 73rd District, says the bill will address the issues caused by discarded trash, human waste, and used needles left behind by individuals who are homeless.
“It’ll make it a crime to, for anyone to – they call it camping – to go setup, you know, the camps around different cities, different communities, different municipalities,” said Smith.
West Virginia Housing Justice, a non-profit organization, opposes the bill, citing increasing jail bills, criminalizing unhoused people, adding that similar bans enacted across the country have only worsened the problem.
Smith understands that this is a growing issue, and that one of his goals is to help the homeless, leading him to introduce House Bill 2935, which Smith says will take a more holistic approach to addressing homelessness, creating facilities that aim to give homeless individuals the tools they need to regain their independence and reintegrate into society successfully.
“That would basically create two piles of programs, one in North Central West Virginia and one in the southern part down around Charleston.” Smith continued, “That would allow people a place to come in and once they check themselves in, they won’t be able to check themselves out until they complete the course.”
While Smith says he thinks the bill is a long way away from being passed, but he says this is a great way to get the conversation started.
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