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Mineral County delegate to re-introduce bill in West Virginia legislature to help homeless obtain IDs

By ANDREA LANNOM

The Register-Herald

CHARLESTON, W.Va.  — A Mineral County delegate says he will re-introduce a bill that aims to help homeless people obtain documents they need to secure employment or apply for public benefits.

Delegate Gary Howell, R-Mineral, announced his plans to re-introduce the bill in a Wednesday news release.

Del. Gary Howell, R-Mineral
“This bill is designed to help homeless people get the documents they need to begin to improve their lives,” Howell said. “Too many times, homeless people are caught in a trap. They can’t get a job or apply for assistance because they don’t have an ID, and they can’t get an ID because they don’t have a permanent home.”

Last year, Howell introduced House Bill 2215, which would have required the Division of Motor Vehicles to provide certain identification documents at no cost to homeless people living in West Virginia shelters. Those documents include a photo ID card, replacement driver’s license or birth certificate, according to the release.

The bill died in House Judiciary, shortly after its introduction. However, Howell said he would like to see his bill considered in the upcoming session, which begins Jan. 10.

“Government should not stand in the way of people who are trying to pick themselves up,” Howell said. “Homelessness is a problem that people in cities across the country are trying to correct, and this bill will give those who are homeless an essential tool to get their lives back on track.”

Email: [email protected]; follow on Twitter @AndreaLannom

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