SACRAMENTO – Seeking to address the increasing health crisis from HIV/AIDS positive parolees returning to their community, Assembly Labor & Employment Chair Sandré Swanson’s (D-Oakland) bill to create access to HIV/AIDS tests in prison cleared the Senate Health committee Wednesday on a unanimous 10-0 vote. It cleared the Senate Committee on Public Safety the day before on a bipartisan 4-0 vote.

“This is a clear public health and safety issue.  All too often, prisoners return to their community unknowingly infected with HIV/AIDS.  It is our belief that if prisoners have the ability to get tested, infected individuals will be able to seek help, get early treatment, and reduce the chance of infecting others.  AB 1984 makes voluntary testing available at each prison site, enabling prisoners to get the care they need, keeping them and their loved ones safe,” stated Assemblymember Swanson.

Health experts have long seen prisons as an incubator for the disease. Many contest that the  growing incidence of HIV/AIDS, particularly in low income and inner-city communities, is directly fueled in part by returning parolees who have no idea they are infected. 

“In addition to the public health concerns, our high recidivism rate ensures that many of these people will return to prison again and spread the infection further. This places a heavier burden on our health care systems, and endangers our community as more people unknowingly infected return home.  The only way to fight this disease is with knowledge, and knowing their status is the most important step people returning to their communities can take” Swanson concluded. 

AB1984 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.