FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2025

CONTACT: Ali Mayeda, media@equalityfederation.org, 207-590-2299

^{With National Support and Years of Effort, Maryland Ends the Criminalization of HIV} 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland Governor Wes Moore today signed into law comprehensive legislation to modernize the state's approach to HIV and end the criminalization of people living with HIV. The reform, HB 39/SB 356, will align state policy with modern medical science and remove barriers to life-saving care.

"Lawmakers heard our call: having a virus is not a crime," said Ronnie Taylor, director of advocacy, policy, and partnerships at FreeState Justice. “For decades, this law was used to punish Black Marylanders unfairly and perpetuate stigma. No more. LGBTQ+ Marylanders and Marylanders living with HIV worked hard for years to bring about this long-overdue reform. This is not just a win for Maryland, it’s a win for the movement to end stigma and make sure everyone has access to life-saving HIV prevention and treatment.”

According to the Center for HIV Law and Policy, 32 states have laws that allow people living with HIV to be charged with criminal penalties, including fines and jail time. Major medical organizations and policymakers such as the American Medical Association, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors oppose criminalization.

“Maryland’s success provides a powerful model for other states,” said Michael Elizabeth, director of public health policy at Equality Federation and co-chair of the US People Living with HIV caucus. “This milestone underscores the need for continued investment in state and local advocacy. This victory was possible because of sustained effort over multiple legislative sessions and collaboration at the national and state levels. By empowering community-driven efforts, we can achieve similar victories nationwide.”

Maryland's effort to modernize the law, supported by the National Minority AIDS Council, AIDS United, and Equality Federation, included strategic investments in public education through a radio ad and advertising campaign to raise awareness about the significant advancements in HIV science, prevention, and treatment. The ad ran for six weeks on major stations, including WHUR, WERQ, WWIN, WKYS, and WMMJ, and can be heard at MDHIV.org. Equality Federation and the National Minority AIDS Council contributed to the campaign.

“Federal leaders are targeting LGBTQ+ people and using all levers of government to cut off our health care access, from funding cuts to the Supreme Court,” said Fran “Hutch” Hutchins, executive director of Equality Federation. “Our state-level network is combating these attacks at every turn with principled, strategic advocacy. We’re not just fighting back, we are fighting FOR a future where all of us can thrive. Despite the hostile federal landscape, investing in our movement in Maryland has helped secure a historic win for people living with HIV and LGBTQ+ people that can serve as a roadmap for other states.”

Efforts to decriminalize HIV are underway in several other states. Equality Federation includes 52 member organizations working at the state level to advance pro-LGBTQ+ policies.

A media guide for reporting on HIV is available online at: https://www.equalityfederation.org/hivmediaguidance