Changing Outdated HIV Criminalization Laws

How can state health departments improve legal and policy protections for people with HIV?
All people deserve to live their lives free from stigma and structural discrimination, yet the harms of HIV criminalization continue to reverberate around the United States, especially in communities of color. Black and trans women experience disproportionate enforcement of HIV criminalization laws.
Our one-hour webinar will examine how reforming HIV laws and policies can strengthen public health protections and mitigate unjust effects on people with HIV. We’ll highlight state-level efforts to reform laws and policies that criminalize HIV. We’ll also share information about the HIV Criminalization Legal and Policy Assessment Tool (cdc.gov/hiv/policies/law/hiv-criminalization-legal-and-policy-assessment-tool.html), a resource to help public health professionals, state and local policymakers, legal counsel, and community partners assess how HIV-related laws and policies in their jurisdiction may inhibit or advance health equity.
Panelists will share their experiences in working on HIV decriminalization efforts in their states.
SPEAKERS
- Heather Anderson-Fintak, general counsel, Southern Nevada Health District
- Jami Crespo, senior attorney, ChangeLab Solutions
- Wesley Hartman, attorney, ChangeLab Solutions
- Katie Macomber, director, Bureau of HIV and STI Programs, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Iyanrick John, vice president of external affairs, ChangeLab Solutions (moderator)