U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D–Calif.) plans to introduce legislation that could end HIV criminalization laws nationwide, according to the Housing Works blog. A draft of the proposed legislation, called the Repeal HIV Discrimination Act, would require review of all federal and state laws and policies that involve criminal cases against people living with HIV/AIDS. Laws that place an additional burden on HIV-positive people because of their status and laws not consistent with scientific evidence would be changed. The attorney general and the secretary of health and human services would then develop new guidelines for state and federal governments. Currently, 34 states have prosecuted HIV-positive individuals for not disclosing their status or for exposing other people to HIV.

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