On January 24, the South Dakota Senate approved legislation that would require people who are convicted of intentionally infecting sex partners with HIV to register as sex offenders upon being released from prison, reports the Associated Press/Rapid City Journal (rapidcityjournal.com, 1/24).

According to State Senator Sandy Jerstad (D-Sioux Falls), the maximum prison term for intentionally spreading HIV is 15 years. “[The] victims will have to take HIV tests for years, and they live with the consequences of this crime for the rest of their lives,” she said.

The article reports two people in South Dakota have been convicted of intentionally spreading HIV. The legislation is now on its way to the state House.