STATEWIDE CAMPING BAN ADVANCES IN W.V.

The West Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill creating a statewide camping ban aimed at homeless populations.  The legislation establishes uniform guidelines for unauthorized camping on public lands with penalties ranging from warnings to five-hundred-dollar fines and up to 30 days in jail.  Delegate Geno Chiarelli, the bill’s main sponsor, says the measure would give communities a tool in dealing with homeless populations in public places.  The bill passed on an 89-9 vote and now heads to the state Senate for consideration.