Reading List

2023-2024 Report of HIV Criminalization (HR 130) Task Force

The Louisiana legislature created the HIV Criminalization Task Force (Task Force) during the Regular Session of 2023 through the unanimous passage of House Resolution 130, which was enrolled in June 2023. Pursuant to HR 130, the purpose of the Task Force was to study the public health outcomes related to the criminalization of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and provide recommendations to modernize R.S. 14.43.5 to reflect both the realities regarding the routes and risks of transmission of HIV and to better serve the public interest in the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative in Louisiana in a final report of its findings prior to the convening of the 2024 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana. The report makes legislative recommendations for consideration by the Louisiana State legislature . 

Breastfeeding with HIV: An Evidence-Based Case for New Policy (2019)

A review of the benefits and risks of breastfeeding for mothers living with HIV, and recommendations that the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) include breastfeeding as an option for people living with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy who maintain an undetectable viral load.

Does U=U for breastfeeding mothers and infants? Breastfeeding by mothers on effective treatment for HIV infection in high-income settings (2018)

Can the campaign Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U), established for the sexual transmission of HIV, be applied to the transmission of HIV through breastfeeding? A group of global experts propose a roadmap for collaborative research to provide the missing evidence required to enable mothers who wish to breastfeed to make a fully informed choice.

The Positive Justice Project Steering Committee Voices Strong Opposition to Alabama Bill that Increases Penalties for Transmission of or Exposure to STIs

Letter to Alabama legislators about proposed laws to increase punishment for people convicted of exposure to or transmission of a sexually transmissible infection.

Resolution on HIV Discrimination and Criminalization

Calls for the elimination of HIV-specific criminal laws and implementation of approaches to HIV consistent with the treatment of similar health and safety risks. Endorses the recommendations of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS for ending federal and state HIV-specific criminal laws, prosecutions, and civil commitments.

Statement of Policy: Opposing Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons with Communicable Diseases

Notes disease-specific laws and policies resulting in prosecutions fuel stigma and discrimination. Encourages local health departments to assist state governments to review HIV-specific criminal statutes to ensure that they are consistent with current knowledge of HIV transmission and support public health approaches to prevention and treatment.

Sexual transmission of HIV and the law: an Australian medical consensus statement

Provides current scientific evidence to facilitate just outcomes in Australian criminal cases involving HIV. Argues that careful attention should be paid to the best scientific evidence on HIV risk and harms, with consideration of alternatives to prosecution, including public health management. Authored by leading Australian HIV clinicians and scientists.