Criminalization

Striving for Change: Ohio Continues to Push Against Outdated HIV Criminalization Laws Amid Advocates’ Rising Calls for Justice

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Columbus, Ohio — In Ohio, a movement is underway to challenge state laws that criminalize HIV, spotlighting their negative long-term impacts and the urgent need for legislative change. Advocacy groups, including Equality Ohio Education Fund and Ohio Health Modernization Movement (OHMM), have recently updated their comprehensive report detailing the enforcement of these laws from 2014 to 2020, a project initiated to reignite discussions about the need for modernization based on current scientific understanding and humanitarian concerns. The report exposes stark statistics: Over a six-year period, there were at least 214 HIV-related prosecutions in Ohio. Notably, … Read more

CHLP Celebrates 20 Years of Advocacy with Milestone Events and Updated HIV Criminalization Maps

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New York — This week marks a significant moment for the Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP), an organization that has spearheaded initiatives against unjust HIV criminalization laws for two decades. As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, CHLP has launched several events and resources aimed at addressing and reforming laws that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. CHLP has recently updated its detailed maps that monitor HIV criminalization across the United States. To detail the revisions and introduce new features of these maps, a webinar is scheduled for Wednesday. This session promises to be an important … Read more

Ohio Legislator Advocates for Revising HIV Criminalization Laws, Citing Increased Social Inequalities

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Columbus, Ohio – A controversial issue in Ohio is catching the attention of lawmakers and advocacy groups: criminal laws associated with HIV transmission. These laws, some say, not only perpetuate stigmatization but also foster significant health disparities among the population. According to certain legal experts and activists, this could have deeper societal repercussions. The current legislation in Ohio mandates that individuals with HIV must disclose their status to potential sexual partners. Failure to comply can lead to felony charges, irrespective of whether the virus was actually transmitted. Critics argue that these punitive measures are based … Read more