South Dakota: People Convicted Of Intentionally Spreading HIV To Register As Sex Offenders

The South Dakota Senate onThursday voted 34-0 to approve legislation (SB 65) that would require peoplewho have been convicted of intentionally spreading HIV to register as sexoffenders after being released from prison, the AP/Rapid City Journal reports. According to bill sponsor Sen. SandyJerstad (D), the legislation would provide the public with information aboutthe possible dangers people convicted of intentionally spreading HIV pose.

Jerstad said that the maximum prison sentence for intentionally spreading HIVis 15 years. "Those victims will have to take HIV tests for years, andthey live with the consequences of this crime for the rest of theirlives," she said. According to the AP/Journal, two people in South Dakota have beenconvicted on intentionally spreading HIV. The bill now goes to the House forconsideration (AP/Rapid City Journal, 1/24).

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