HIV Decriminalization - Victim and advocates address decriminalizing HIV in PA

Policy Committee    October 6, 2021

2/3rds of states in the United States have laws criminalizing or controlling behaviors through HIV-specific statutes and regulations and Pennsylvania is one of them (source: SERO Project HIV Criminalization Brochure; SERO Project HIV Criminalization Fact Sheet). A hearing on October 6 at 9:30 a.m. in Harrisburg in room 418 Main Capitol examined these laws and the serious consequences they create for Pennsylvanians living with the virus. 

Hosts + Testifiers: 

• Hosted by: Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Vice Chair Mary Isaacson and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee 
• Testimony by:  
  • Julie Graham, Cumberland County resident and HIV criminalization survivor 
  • Adrian Shanker, executive director, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center 
  • Steven Bryson, SERO Legal Fellow, AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania 
  • Michelle Troxell, Pennsylvania Co-Chair, Positive Women's Network USA

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and written testimony: Agenda & Testimony: Decriminalizing HIV

Media Release + News Coverage

• Victim, advocates urge lawmakers to decriminalize HIV during hearing, 10/8/2021
• Pennsylvania Capital Star, 'HIV is not a crim': Pa House panel tackles outdated laws targeting those living with the virus, 10/8/2021
• WITF, People living with HIV ask for 'dehumanizing' state laws to be taken off the books, 10/9/2021

Hearing Video + Photos