Lawmakers in the Maryland legislature have proposed changingthe state’s HIV-specific criminal law from a misdemeanor to a felony, theAmerican Independent reports. Delegate C.T. Wilson, a Democrat, said heintroduced the legislation after a recent trial in which a man with HIV wasconvicted but only received “a slap on the wrist.” Under current law,attempting to or transmitting HIV can result in a three-year sentence and a$2,500 fine. Wilson wants that sentence increased to 25 years, likening HIV todomestic abuse. Advocates have said that evidence shows that criminal laws havelittle impact on behavior, that they actually deter people from getting tested,and that they increase stigma and discrimination.

To read the American Independent article, click here.