ATLANTA (March 26, 2009) – State Sen. Kasim Reed’s (D-Atlanta) bill that provides for the mandatory HIV testing of inmates passed through the House State Institutions and Property meeting on Monday, March 23, 2009. The bill previously passed the Senate on March 10, 2009. The legislation requires that any person in the custody of a penal institution for one year or longer and has not previously tested positive for HIV be subject to HIV testing prior to release.
“The number of people infected with HIV and AIDS is increasing at an alarming rate in Atlanta,” said Reed. “By testing those who leave our penal institutions, we can prevent innocent people from being infected. This legislation can be a weapon in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Georgia.”
It has been estimated that approximately one quarter of people living with HIV/AIDS in America pass through the correctional system. In many prisons there is a higher risk of HIV transmission. Georgia has the eighth highest AIDS rate in the nation. The number of HIV/AIDS cases has risen 27 percent since 2004 with over 32,000 Georgians currently living with HIV/AIDS. Georgia also has the second-highest incarceration rate in the country. At the beginning of 2008, state facilities held an estimated 55,000 prisoners.
For additional information on the bill, contact Senator Reed or go to www.legis.ga.gov.
Sen. Kasim Reed represents the 35th Senate District which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.463.1379 or by e-mail at kasim.reed@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kindra Baer, Legislative Aide
Kbaer34@gmail.com
404.463.1379