HIV Criminalization Resources

This document includes general, academic, and educational materials on HIV criminalization in the United States, as well as emerging issues related to the intersection of data confidentiality and ethics with HIV criminal exposure laws. “HIV criminalization” broadly refers to state HIV criminal exposure laws which criminalize the behavior of people with HIV with the stated goal of discouraging and punishing conduct that can lead to transmission. NASTAD staff and consultants compiled this resource sheet to assist public health professionals in broadening their knowledge about HIV criminalization; the growing body of evidence that these laws are ineffective public health measures that do not reflect our current understanding of HIV science; ongoing efforts to reform these laws across the country; and public health-based alternatives to HIV criminalization that can contribute more effectively to preventing and ending HIV transmission and HIV stigma.