During the early years of the HIV epidemic, a number of states implemented HIV-specific criminal exposure laws. These laws impose criminal penalties on living with HIV who know their HIV status and – who potentially expose others to HIV.
Criminalization of Potential Exposure | HIV and the Law | CDC HIV/AIDS
News curated from other sources

US: Lawmakers divided as New York revisits HIV criminalisation
HIV decriminalization bill to wait another year
June 7, 2026

USA: Louisiana narrows HIV exposure law after years of advocacy
Louisiana enacts significant reform of HIV exposure law
June 3, 2026

Cyprus: Draft law could end HIV criminalisation in Cyprus
Science over stigma: Inside the push to decriminalise HIV transmission in Cyprus
May 31, 2026

Senegal: Lawyers challenge phone searches and lack of legal counsel in LGBTQ+ cases
Senegal’s anti-homosexuality law: violations of defendants’ rights are causing concern among lawyers and NGOs
May 19, 2026
News by the HIV Justice Network

2025 in review: more reported cases, uneven reform
January 7, 2026



