ATLANTA (March 5, 2009) – State Sen. Kasim Reed’s (D-Atlanta) bill that provides for the mandatory HIV testing of inmates passed through the Senate Committee on State Institutions and Property earlier this week. This legislation requires any person in custody of a penal institution for one year or longer and who has not previously tested positive for HIV be tested for HIV 60 days prior to their release.
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 living with HIV/AIDS. Georgia also has the second-highest incarceration rate in the country. It has been estimated that approximately one quarter of people living with HIV/AIDS in America pass through the correctional system. At the beginning of 2008, Georgia state facilities held an estimated 55,000 prisoners.
“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 in Georgia.”
For additional information on the bill, contact Senator Reed or go to www.legis.ga.gov.
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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 5, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Ravae Graham, Communications Specialist
ravae.graham@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028