Needle exchange law in West Virginia halted amid lawsuit

A judge in West Virginia has granted a group’s request to prevent a law tightening requirements on needle exchange programs from being implemented next month

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A judge in West Virginia has granted a group's request to stop a law tightening requirements on needle exchange programs from being implemented next month. The American Civil Liberties Union's West Virginia chapter filed a federal lawsuit last week. A judge issued a temporary restraining order Monday and scheduled a July 8 hearing on the issue. The law was set to take effect July 9. “We’re encouraged by this decision from the court," chapter legal director Loree Stark said. "This harmful, constitutionally flawed bill should never be allowed to take effect. Harm reduction saves lives.” Republican Gov. Jim Justice signed the bill in April over the objections of critics who said it will restrict access to clean needles amid a spike in HIV cases.