CWHA Speaks Up On Proposed Changes to NY State HIV Testing, Counseling and Informed Consent Laws

Hadiyah Charles, Community Organizer for HIV Law Project recently testified in Albany about the importance of maintaining written informed consent for HIV testing.

HIV Law Project strongly supports the proposition that the earlier more people know their HIV status, the better. We support the expansion of access to routine voluntary HIV testing throughout the general population. The solution, however, should be tailored to the problem while seeking to preserve the rights of individuals to give written, informed consent under Article 27-F of the Public Health Law.

HIV Law Project supports the expansion of access to Routine Voluntary HIV Testing. We do not believe it necessary, however, to amend Article 27-F to eliminate certain rights in order to achieve that goal. Sound health policy is consistent with and accounts for individual rights – this is especially true when the health threat is one most often spread by intimate human contact not easily regulated by the State.

To read the full testimony, click here>>.