CNP applauds the passage of SB 164—the bill that modernizes Georgia’s decades-old statute criminalizing people living with HIV. The updated legislation introduced by State Senator Chuck Hufsteler (R-52) received bipartisan support and was signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 9, 2022.

Before the passage of SB 164, a person living with HIV (PLHIV) could face a felony and up to 10 years in prison for not disclosing their HIV status prior to any sexual activity. The degree of risk of HIV transmission was not a factor in the statute—including circumstances where there was no HIV transmission, nor even any risk of HIV transmission.

With the passage of the Parental Rights in Education bill in Florida, most commonly referred to by opponents as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Republican state senators in Georgia are proposing Senate Bill 613, a similar bill to the Florida legislation that now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature to become law. The proposed Georgia bill restricts teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with students in private schools.