DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would reduce penalties for HIV-positive people who have sex without disclosing their health condition.
Des Moines Democratic Sen. Matt McCoy said he wants to change the law to reduce penalties and focus on people who purposefully try to infect others with the virus.
Under the current law, HIV-positive people who have sex without disclosing their condition can face up to 25 years in prison if convicted, regardless of whether someone is infected.
"That is truly a Draconian punishment," McCoy said. "Being diagnosed with HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was."