Repeal or Reform Ark. Code Ann. ยง 5-14-123. Exposing another person to human immunodeficiency virus which was written in 1989 when there was no treatment and now it is counterproductive to ending the epidemic.
Why is this important?
Repeal this law because:
It stops people at high risk from testing.
It perpetuates and increases stigma.
No empirical data are available regarding the effectiveness of HIV serostatus exposure laws. - NIH
It puts the person with HIV in danger of violence.
It was written in 1989 when HIV/AIDS was untreatable.
It is used as a weapon against people that are positive.
Treatment decreases the possibility of spreading the infection by 97%.
It makes everyone with HIV a victim.
A person with HIV can be punished when no risk occurred.
Reform this law because:
HIV is now treatable and is considered a chronic illness.
Treatment is available.
Treatment decreases the possibility of spreading the infection by 97%.
Tuberculosis has punitive actions that only make treatment the mandatory sentence.
Since 2008, only 10 people have been convicted of exposure to HIV.
Over 4,000 people are not in treatment and reforming this law can play a major role in encouraging people into care.
