TRENTON, NJ – While you can lose your business, your job and be declined service in New Jersey in some places for not being vaccinated for COVID-19 or wearing a facemask, you can now legally spread the AIDS virus from person to person, and you don’t even have to tell the other person you have the virus, for which there is no vaccine or permanent cure.
As of 2018, about 700,000 people have died of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, and nearly 13,000 people with AIDS in the United States die each year.
According to the National Institute of Health, people living with HIV who take antiretroviral medications daily as prescribed and who achieve and then maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of sexually transmitting the virus to an HIV-negative partner.
The AIDS antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a treatment that must be taken every day to be effective in reducing the risk of transmission, HIV.gov states.
“Treatment as prevention works when a person living with HIV takes HIV medication exactly as prescribed and has regular follow-up care, including regular viral load tests to ensure their viral load stays undetectable,” the government website says.
People living with HIV can get and keep an undetectable viral load by taking HIV medication every day, exactly as prescribed. Almost everyone who takes HIV medication daily as prescribed can achieve an undetectable viral load, usually within 6 months after starting treatment.
HIV antiretroviral therapy can cost AIDS patients between $1800 to $4500 each month. Many health insurance plans cover at least some of the cost of the treatment.
The Governor’s office issued the following statement on the signing of the new law:
On Tuesday, to kick off his second term in office, Governor Phil Murphy signed S3707/A5673, which repeals the statute that criminalizes sexual penetration while infected with a venereal disease or HIV under certain circumstances. Additionally, the bill requires that in prosecutions for endangering another by creating a substantial risk of transmitting infectious disease, the name of the defendant and other individuals be kept confidential.
“For decades, the HIV epidemic has had devastating effects on New Jersey, particularly in our LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color,” said Governor Murphy. “Repealing the outdated law will eliminate the stigma and fear associated with testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, encouraging more individuals to be proactive in learning about their health. This new law, coupled with advances in modern science and medicine, will bolster our efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New Jersey.”
Primary sponsors for S3707/A5673 include Senators Vitale and Ruiz, as well as former Assemblymembers Vainieri Huttle, Downey, and Zwicker.
“While working with advocates to identify areas to improve our harm reduction system of care, they identified updating our statutes to reflect what we now know about the transmission of certain diseases, especially in light of the advances in treatment, as a huge priority,” said Senator Joe Vitale. “Signing this bill into law will better protect and destigmatize individuals living with HIV in our state. I am thankful to the advocates who brought this issue to our attention, not only for leading the way on solid public health policy, but also in serving those in need in New Jersey.”
“Unfortunately, over the years, there has been a culture of criminally targeting HIV-positive individuals in general, rather than targeting those who intentionally expose others. The criminal code is meant to punish actions that harm others, not discriminate against people living with a chronic health condition,” said Senator M. Teresa Ruiz. “Signing this piece of legislation into law is a step in the right direction toward reforming the system.”
“For far too long, stigma around HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ community has guided our laws. This legislation ensures that New Jersey moves forward guided by public health, not bigotry. We are honored to be working alongside Garden State Equality, Hyacinth and the Harm Reduction Coalition to put forth this historic legislation,” said Assembly sponsors Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Joann Downey, and Andrew Zwicker.
“New Jersey is leading the nation on issues of equality and this bill is an important step ensuring our residents not only experience equality in the law, but in their daily lives,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director, Garden State Equality. “Ending the stigma around HIV is a necessity to ending the AIDS epidemic. All of us at Garden State Equality are thankful to the legislators and to Governor Murphy for understanding the importance this bill has for people living with HIV. We are thrilled to see the Murphy administration continue to push issues of equality as we enter the second term.”
“Hyacinth AIDS Foundation applauds Governor Murphy signing S3707/A-5673, sponsored by Senators Vitale, Ruiz, Weinberg and Assemblypersons Vainieri, Huttle, Downey, and Zwicker which would repeal New Jersey specific HIV criminalization statute. New Jersey’s HIV criminal law was based on stigma and fear, rather than modern science,” said Axel Torres Marrero, Sr. Director of Public Policy and Prevention, Hyacinth. “In 2022 it no longer reflects the current science of treatment and transmission of HIV. Today we recognize that no one should be singled out and punished on solely on the basis of their HIV status. Taken together with the Attorney General’s recent guidance that only a clear, successful intent to do harm should be punished, today New Jersey acknowledges that health care policy and the fight to end the AIDS epidemic must be anchored in the updated science of treatment and transmission of HIV.”