Lawmakers introduce 'REPEAL' HIV Discrimination Act.
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Jamie Barrand | Dec 2, 2015

Lawmakers introduce 'REPEAL' HIV Discrimination Act

A group of U.S. lawmakers have teamed up to introduce legislation to end discrimination related to HIV and AIDS. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Ed Markey (D-MD) recently unveiled the Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal (“REPEAL”) HIV Discrimination Act, which calls for a re-examination of laws regarding what actions can be considered criminal among people living with HIV.

"Despite great advances in treatment, education and awareness, those living with HIV and AIDS still face stigma and discrimination,” Baldwin said. "It is critical that we continue to fight the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and break down barriers to accessing testing, support and treatment.”

Coons agreed.

“It’s simply not fair that someone with a treatable medical condition should automatically be subjected to a different set of criminal laws,” he said.

Coons added that many of the laws regarding those with HIV and AIDS "are rooted not in science, but in outdated fear."

Markey called for equal treatment of citizens living with HIV and AIDS.

“We should not have policies or laws on the books that discriminate, perpetrate stereotypes or aren’t based in sound science," he said. "The REPEAL Act will help ensure that individuals with HIV/AIDS are not criminalized for having a treatable medical condition, and that all Americans are subject to the same set of laws."

William McColl, director of health policy at AIDS United, said his agency solidly backed the legislation.

“The REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act is a common-sense, no-cost measure that will help local states to save taxpayer dollars by ensuring that criminal laws relating to HIV exposure are based on the best and most recent science and knowledge about HIV, including the recent advances of effective HIV treatments,” he said.

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