Waxman HIV decriminalization bill voted out of Judiciary Committee

Bill moves to House floor for consideration

Rep. Ben Waxman    March 10, 2026

The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today voted to advance legislation (H.B. 632) that would address outdated criminal penalties that disproportionately affect people living with HIV and are inconsistent with current scientific understanding of HIV transmission.

This legislation was introduced by state Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Phila.

“By keeping laws in place that discriminate against people living with HIV, we are saying that we do not care about a vulnerable population in our state and that we are choosing to disregard new scientific findings on HIV,” said Waxman. “It is long past time to overturn this prejudicial law, and my piece of legislation aims to do just that.”

Under existing Pennsylvania law, people living with HIV can face enhanced criminal penalties — including felony charges related to prostitution — based solely on their HIV status. Advocates and public health experts argue that these provisions reflect outdated assumptions about HIV rather than modern medical science.

The bill now moves to the House floor, where it could be taken up for a full vote as soon as session returns.

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