The bill updates the statutes related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to conform with current medical knowledge by applying provisions that previously only applied to HIV to all STIs. A new definition is established to include HIV and relevant types of hepatitis in the sexually transmitted infection definition. The bill allows for all STIs to be treated uniformly under Colorado law, rather than specifically prosecuting people based on HIV status. HIV criminalization language in statute is repealed. The bill expands rights for victims of crime by allowing for testing for a sexually transmitted infection under circumstances where the victim has been exposed to blood or other bodily fluids under circumstances that are medically demonstrated to pose a risk of transmission of a sexually transmitted infection. A victim of crime in such circumstances must also be provided with adequate counseling by a health care provider concerning prophylaxis and treatment of infections until cured, where possible; treatment to prevent progression of any infection; the necessity of regular medical evaluations; and measures for preventing transmission of the infection to others. Public health orders or restrictive measures directed to a person with a sexually transmitted infection must only be used as the last resort when all other measures to protect the public health have failed, including efforts to obtain the voluntary cooperation of the person who may be subject to the public health order or restrictive measure. Any public health order or restrictive measure that is applied must be applied serially with the least intrusive measures used first.
Year
2016
Current status
- Governor Signed (06/06/2016)
