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HB 5105

Relating to financial exploitation of a person in recovery

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Amos and 5 co-sponsors

West Virginia bill criminalizes financial exploitation of people in substance abuse recovery, establishing new penalties and protections for a vulnerable population.

To House Judiciary
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Bill Summary · HB 5105

Legislative bill overview

HB 5105 establishes legal protections and criminal penalties related to the financial exploitation of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. The bill likely creates new offense categories, defines what constitutes financial exploitation in this vulnerable population, and specifies consequences for perpetrators who prey on people in recovery programs or treatment.

Why is this important

Individuals in recovery face heightened vulnerability to financial scams, fraud, and exploitation due to factors including social isolation, financial instability, and potential cognitive effects of addiction recovery. Creating specific legal protections addresses a gap in existing consumer protection laws that may not adequately safeguard this population from predatory practices targeting their circumstances.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: Determining what qualifies as "financial exploitation" versus standard fraud—debate over whether the bill casts too wide or narrow a net
  • Evidentiary challenges: Questions about how to prove someone's "recovery status" and whether that status should be a legal factor in prosecution
  • Treatment program liability: Unclear whether facilities, counselors, or peer support networks could face liability if exploitation occurs within their spaces

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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