Equality Caucus applauds unanimous passage of bill decriminalizing HIV
LGBTQ Equality Caucus July 12, 2026 | 12:44 PM
HARRISBURG, July 12 – The Pennsylvania LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus issued the following statement on S.B. 45, which the state House passed unanimously today:
“The PA LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus applauds the passage of Senate Bill 45, which takes an important step toward ending the criminalization of HIV status in Pennsylvania. The LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus extends our gratitude to Rep. Ben Waxman, who sponsored legislation in the House to make this change.
“Under current Pennsylvania law, people living with HIV can face harsher criminal penalties solely because of their HIV status, even when their conduct would not otherwise be a crime or would be charged less severely. For example, while prostitution is generally a misdemeanor offense, a person living with HIV can be charged with a felony regardless of whether HIV transmission was possible, including in situations involving no physical contact or conduct that cannot transmit HIV. Senate Bill 45 eliminates this outdated sentencing enhancement.
“These HIV-specific criminal penalties are inconsistent with modern scientific understanding of HIV prevention, transmission and treatment. Today, HIV is a manageable chronic health condition that can be effectively treated with antiretroviral therapy, allowing people living with HIV to lead long, healthy lives while preventing transmission.
“We are grateful that Senate Bill 45 is headed to the governor’s desk. This legislation brings Pennsylvania law into closer alignment with current science, reduces stigma, and creates a legal framework that can continue to evolve alongside future advances in HIV research and care.”