http://www.hrc.org/issues/hiv_aids/updates.asp

HIV/AIDS Updates

HRC Expresses Concerns Over Model Health Emergency Bill

The Human Rights Campaign recently sent a letter to state-level officials highlighting the need to keep safe the civil liberties of people living with HIV/AIDS. It came in response to the recent distribution by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of model state legislation related to the threat of bioterrorism in the wake of the September 11 attacks. The model legislation aims to ensure that governors and local state health officials have the necessary power to respond to smallpox and other related outbreaks resulting from bioterrorism. Specifically, HRC has concerns about a broad definition of "public health emergency" in the model legislation.

HRC sent the attached letter to 50 state governors, state health officials, state legislative leaders and other interested parties, urging them to ensure than any emergency health powers measures about bioterrorism threats include clear definitions of what constitutes an appropriate basis for the establishment of a public health emergency and that is does not justify isolating or quarantining persons living with HIV/AIDS.

To read HRC's letter, see:
http://www.hrc.org/eq_updates/letters/011210mh.asp

To read the model legislation, see:
http://www.publichealthlaw.net/MSEHPA/MSEHPA.pdf

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