House of Representatives Passes Congresswoman Waters' Bill to Stop the Spread of HIV/AIDS in Prison
Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1943, The Stop AIDS in Prison Act, which was introduced by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), by a voice vote. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the Ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, spoke in favor of the bill, as did Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). There was no opposition to the bill.
"I am proud that the House passed the Stop AIDS in Prison Act," said Congresswoman Waters. "This bill is a bold step to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in our nation's prisons and to prevent inmates from infecting other persons in the community following their release from prison."
The Stop AIDS in Prison Act requires the federal Bureau of Prisons to test all federal prison inmates for HIV upon entering prison and again prior to release, unless the inmate opts-out of taking the test. The bill also requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all inmates and comprehensive treatment for those inmates who test positive.
"AIDS is spreading in our nation's jails and prisons. In 2005, the Department of Justice reported that the rate of confirmed AIDS cases in prisons was three times higher than in the general population. We need to take the threat of HIV/AIDS seriously and confront it in every institution of our society. That includes our nation's prison system," said the Congresswoman.
The Stop AIDS in Prison Act has been endorsed by several prominent HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations, including AIDS Action, The AIDS Institute, the National Minority AIDS Council, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the HIV Medicine Association, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and Bienestar (a Latino community service and advocacy organization), as well as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles Times.
"The Stop AIDS in Prison Act will help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among prison inmates, encourage them to take personal responsibility for their health, and reduce the risk that they will transmit HIV/AIDS to other persons in the community after they have served their sentences," said Congresswoman Waters.
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