Iowa Legislature passes HIV transmission bill

Des Moines, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has sent to the governor a measure lessening the penalties for people who unknowingly expose someone to HIV with no intention of infecting them.

The House in the early morning hours Thursday passed a version of the bill the Senate had approved in February. The Legislature worked overtime to adjourn for the year passing the bill at around 2 a.m.

The bill changes a current law that says if someone exposes a partner to HIV without their consent, they can be convicted of a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

It creates more general rules about infectious diseases, making people eligible for 25 year sentences only if they intend to transmit a disease without someone's knowledge.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – May 4, 2014 @ 8am