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(Richmond-AP) -- A Senate panel advanced legislation today that would make it illegal for people infected with HIV to have sexual intercourse without telling their sexual partner about their HIV status.

The legislation passed the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and now heads to the Senate Finance Committee. It passed the House unanimously.

It's already a felony in Virginia to intentionally infect someone with HIV. But the bill's sponsor, Campbell County Delegate Kathy Byron, likens HIV status to carrying a loaded

weapon that's concealed. 

The punishment: up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,500.

AIDS advocates in the field call the bill a real danger. Ramona Smith, an education coordinator for the Tidewater AIDS Community Task Force in Norfolk, says she encourages people with the disease to disclose their HIV status before having sex. But she says making it a requirement could open the door to mandating disclosure in work settings as well.

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On the Net: http://legis.state.va.us/

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Date published: 3/1/2004

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