DOJ Issues Letter Regarding Illegal Exclusion of Individuals with HIV/AIDS from Occupational Training and State Licensing (2011)

In another federal step to end HIV-related discrimination at the state level, the Department of Justice issued a letter this week to state and territorial attorneys general requesting that they review the exclusion of HIV- positive persons from occupational training and state licensing. Consistent with recommendations to the Obama Administration drafted by the Center for HIV Law and Policy and colleagues, the DOJ had released guidance to states on this issue in July 2009.  This implementation letter, also in line with CHLP's and other civil rights organizations' recommendation to President Obama and the Office of National AIDS Policy, directs state attorneys general to "review admission and licensing criteria for trade schools and licensing agencies to identify the existence of any criteria that unlawfully exclude or discriminate against persons with HIV/AIDS, and to take the steps necessary to bring all such programs into compliance with the ADA."