The Louisiana House approves legislation that would result in a long prison sentence for anyone convicted of intentionally infecting another person with an incurable sexually transmitted disease. Monroe Democrat Pat Moore’s measure calls for a person to serve at least ten years in prison if convicted of this crime and serve at least 25 years of hard labor if the victim is a juvenile or a senior citizen.
“Keeping in mind what we’re trying to do, bring justice to those who ignore and deliberately, intentionally go ahead and infect someone with this incurable disease,” Moore said.
Incurable sexually transmitted infections include Hepatitis B, herpes and HIV. The bill passed the House on a 68-18 vote, but it received pushback from New Orleans Democrat Jason Hughes. He called the bill flawed. Hughes says unless there’s a written contract, how can a prosecutor prove someone did not verbally disclose they have an incurable sexually transmitted disease?
“It is your suggestion or intent that if someone has a sexually transmitted disease, that they should, you’re encouraging them to have some type of written contract and go get it notarized and put it in a safe place?” Hughes asked.
Hughes says sexually active adults will look at this new law and say, “I am not going to get tested, therefore I can’t be convicted of knowingly giving another person an incurable STD.”
“You are going to prevent them from going to get tested. You’re going to prevent them from going to get treatment, and Louisiana is going to continue to be at the top of this bad list,” Hughes said.
Moore says she has no sympathy for people who knowingly give a sexually transmitted infection to another person or a person who is sexually active and refused to get tested.
“If you choose not to go to the doctor because of this bill, then I think you’re selfish, and I think you don’t care about the other person or transmitting this disease,” Moore said.
Moore’s bill still needs Senate approval, and the legislative session must end Thursday, June 12th.
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