CHLP Supports Reintroduction of Revised REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act

On World AIDS Day 2021, U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) reintroduced the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act of 2022. CHLP worked with Lee’s office and AIDS United on updating this latest version of the bill to reflect developments and lessons learned since the original version was first introduced by Lee more than a decade ago.

The REPEAL (‘‘Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal”) HIV Discrimination Act addresses the serious ongoing problem of discrimination in the use of criminal and civil commitment laws against PLHIV. Since the original introduction of the REPEAL Act, a number of its recommendations have been incorporated into the National AIDS Strategy and implemented by the CDC and the Department of Justice.

The 2022 Act calls for an assessment of federal laws and policies, and state civil commitment laws, and the development of recommendations for changing or repealing unsound federal policy, such as the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It would also require the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) to establish guidelines for states to reform policies that undermine national and state plans to End the HIV Epidemic.

The attached fact sheet drafted by CHLP provides a more detailed explanation of what the REPEAL Act will do to help solve the problems posed by HIV criminalization laws. 

Lee’s office is seeking additional members of the House of Representatives to co-sponsor the bill. Individuals are encouraged to contact their Representatives to ask for their support of the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act.