September 26, 2011

Rep. Barbara Lee Introduces HIV Anti-Criminalization Bill

U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill to reform HIV-related criminal law throughout the United States, according to a statement by Lee. According to the Housing Works blog, the REPEAL HIV Criminalization Act calls for a review of all federal and state legislation, policies and regulations involving HIV-related offenses. HIV exposure or transmission is illegal in 34 states and two U.S. territories. Penalties range from fines to 30 years in prison; in many states, those convicted on HIV charges are registered as sex offenders. Activists warn that such penalties spread HIV by discouraging people from getting tested.

To read Lee's statement, click here.

To read the Housing Works blog, click here.

Search: HIV, Barbara Lee, REPEAL HIV Criminalization Act, Housing Works, criminalization,

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Previous Comments:

Michael, Sterling Heights, MI, 2012-01-04 12:58:40
We need to stop focusing on the people that have HIV and start focusing on the root issue at hand that put's the whole world at risk! it's very simple, if you protect yourself, and have the mind set that everyone could be positive, then condom use will go up extremely and in turn HIV testing will be more proactively exercised rather then avoided,and for the first time in the history of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic the world will start to have control over the spread of the infectious disease HIV/AIDS!

Michael, Sterling Heights, MI, 2012-01-04 12:57:45
I believe disclosure should be optional for an HIV-positive person who has an undetectable viral load or who is practicing safe sex, or both. Because Scientific data and statistic's prove that they are not a significant risk to anybody when it comes to infecting other's with HIV/AIDS.

kathleen herron, houston, 2011-09-30 11:02:43
I am so glad because we are not criminals and I do not want to spread HIV to anyone else(I am a retired healthcare worker got stuck on the job) and we deserve to live & love freely like anyone else!

patrick, Los angeles, 2011-09-28 08:20:59
OK,this sensitive acknolowment of every human beings need to feel love, afecction passion and equality of enjoyment in life's pleasures, (specialy those so heavily promoted) is a start. Now how about we stop throwing in jail people in wheel chairs! And thousands of young virle bodies and minds with a life ahead of them to redeem and contribute something to a society in great urgent need.

Juliamarie, , 2011-09-28 01:08:33
I am a ER phsyician I have been HIV + since 2005. I was infected by a needle stick injury while saving a persons life. un fortunatley I suffer tha same stigma as every one else.I still continue to practice medicin and love my job very much. and yes I am a repulican even republicans are not immune from this terrible disease.

Robert Lee Thomas, Brooklyn, 2011-09-28 00:46:02
I admire Barbara Lee and I'm quite sure she knows the majority of incarcerations of this type is Black African American Males. Lynch us by any means necessary and they now are using an illness as a weapon. How sick is this country?

Jeton Ademaj, Harlem, NYC, 2011-09-27 02:07:04
i hope her bill cant be easily attacked for decriminalizing HIV non-disclosure. If it CAN be, it will die in committee or on the Floor. Worse, the GOP would do very well attacking it in the 2012 elections. HIV+ persons deserve the same presumption of innocence as anyone else, but reports continue to increase that this standard isn't being met in many of our courts. I don't want that injustice to continue because ethically dubious defenses of non-disclosure sidelined the fight for Equal Justice.