WV SB873

Creates the West Virginia Homelessness Rehabilitation and Public Safety Act, requiring the Department of Human Services to assess homeless individuals for mental health needs and provide structured rehabilitation programs

Directs the Department of Human Services to repurpose vacant public buildings into minimum-security structured residence halls where homeless individuals deemed "of sound mind" must participate in hygiene training, facility maintenance, and vocational skills instruction including agriculture and food preservation

Establishes a transition-to-independent-living program coordinating with Workforce West Virginia for job placement, assigning financial overseers to manage residents' savings, and providing assistance with vehicle purchases and housing once savings targets are met

Requires annual reports to the Legislature for five years tracking the number of individuals rehabilitated, job placements facilitated, and financial independence rates achieved

Authorizes penalties under existing West Virginia law for individuals who refuse participation in rehabilitation programs, with strict enforcement of loitering and vagrancy laws for repeat violations