The Washington State Department of Health wants to change a rarely used law that makes it a felony to intentionally expose a sexual partner to HIV. The agency has proposed legislation that would make such exposure a misdemeanor, asserting the state’s HIV laws aren’t reflective of current treatments and perpetuate stigma against people living with the virus. The department says the current penalties don’t have an impact on reducing transmissions or improving public health. The measure is before the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee, which was expected to vote today (MON). The proposal also calls for more intervention from local and state health officers, allowing them to recommend options ranging from testing to counseling, and even mandate treatment for an individual determined to be placing others at risk. The Department of Health says there are an estimated 14,700 people in the state living with HIV, with about 81 percent of them virally suppressed, meaning they are unable to transmit the virus. The Democratic-controlled House has passed the measure with a 57-40 vote, but accepted an amendment on the floor that maintains the felony charge for someone who intentionally transmits HIV to a child or vulnerable adult, and requires them to register as a sex offender. (AP)
