Introduced
February 25, 2026
Mr. Pocan (for himself, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Gottheimer, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Takano, and Mrs. Watson Coleman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
RESOLUTION
Support for the designation of February 28 as “HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day” and affirming that people living with HIV should not be criminalized based on their HIV status.
- (1) supports the goals and ideals of “HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day”;
- (2) encourages federal, state and local governments, their judicial and healthcare, and educational agencies, schools, and media organizations to recognize and support such a day;
- (3) supports community and law enforcement education on prevention, treatment, transmission, disclosure, and care;
- (4) promotes up-to-date, inclusive, culturally responsible, and medically accurate information about HIV, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), in sex education curricula to ensure that all people are educated about HIV;
- (5) affirms that people living with HIV should not be criminalized or subject to enhanced punishments solely on the basis of their HIV status;
- (6) supports removal of HIV laws that are scientifically inaccurate and unfairly criminalize people living with HIV for behaviors that are consensual or have no risk of transmission;
- (7) honors and supports individuals and communities affected by HIV criminalization, including those who have been prosecuted, incarcerated, or otherwise harmed under such laws;
- (8) encourages awareness and education, public dialogue, and evidence-based approaches that reflect current scientific understanding of HIV, reduce stigma and promote public health, justice, and equity;
- (9) recognizes the direct impact from harmful legislative efforts seeking to restrict bodily autonomy, such as restrictions on abortion and birth control access and bans on gender affirming care, which negatively impact access to non-stigmatizing HIV prevention, education, confidential testing and treatment, and increases risk for criminalization; and
- (10) supports the increase of funding for programs that support people impacted by and living with HIV, as well as programs that support medical mentorship, peer navigation, educating communities on testing and treatment options, PrEP and PEP access, and programs that ensure a smoother transition to HIV care.