To: The Illinois State Senate
Illinois, stop sharing students' HIV status without permission
Advocates for Youth
It is outrageous that HIV-positive high school students in Illinois have their HIV status disclosed to their school principal without their permission. Not only does it violate students’ rights to medical privacy, it further stigmatizes people living with HIV and discourages testing.
We urge Illinois Senators to pass HB 61, removing the disclosure requirement.
Why is this important?
Illinois is the ONLY state in which health authorities are required by law to notify school principals of the names of students that test HIV-positive. Principals can then disclose the information to any school personnel they like. A bill before the senate, HB 61, would repeal this invasive and unnecessary requirement.
Please tell Illinois’ senate to pass HB 61!
Read more about this dangerous law. http://www.hivhealthreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HIV-YES-on-HB-61-factsheet-4-18-2.docx