ACLU-WV Condemns House Passage of Bill Criminalizing Poverty
March 3, 2026 3:32 pm
The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia issued the following statement on passage of HB 5319, which criminalizes people sleeping in public spaces even when they have nowhere else to go.
Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime. Rather than help struggling people get back on their feet, the House of Delegates has decided instead to criminalize their very existence. At the same time, lawmakers are poised to cut taxes even further, depleting the state’s already underfunded services and driving more of its people into extreme poverty. We’ve said it before and we will keep saying it: We will never arrest our way to prosperity.
Stay Informed
Sign up to be the first to hear about how to take action.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy statement.