The Center for HIV Law and Policy and its Positive Justice Project have been closely following the proposed Legislative Bill 226 in Nebraska as well as assisting Nebraska advocates in organizing a response. The Assault with Bodily Fluids Bill would criminalize striking any public safety officer with any bodily fluid (or expelling bodily fluids toward them) and includes a specific increase of penalty to a felony (up to five years and/or $10,000 fine) if the defendant is HIV positive or has Hepatitis B or C. This document summarizes the bill's key provisions and provides talking points on the key issues. CHLP drafted these talking points at the request of the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP).
The hearing for the bill has been set for Friday, February 4th, 2011.
CHLP fights stigma and discrimination at the intersection of HIV, race, health status, disability, class, sexuality and gender identity and expression, with a focus on criminal and public health systems. As part of this work, we support movement building that amplifies the power of individuals and communities to mobilize for change rooted in racial, gender and economic justice. We do this through legal advocacy, high-impact policy initiatives, and creation of cross-issue partnerships, networks, and resources.