Ohio's Outdated HIV Criminalization Laws Continue to Discriminate, Despite Revised Code
Ohio's HIV-criminalization laws, which include felony charges and prison sentences for individuals with HIV who fail to disclose their status to sexual partners, are still in effect despite being unsupported by science. These laws impose harsher punishments than for other serious crimes and have led to unjust felony convictions. Nearly 200 cases have been connected to these laws, with charges ranging from spitting to felonious assault. The Ohio Health Modernization Movement is calling for reform, proposing changes such as requiring proof of intentional transmission and reducing HIV-specific charges to misdemeanors. Meanwhile, over 27,000 Ohioans are living with HIV, and the use of PrEP medication has been increasing while transmission rates have been decreasing. However, a recent federal ruling may impact access to free preventative care services, including PrEP.