Pennsylvania has repealed a legal provision that added a felony enhancement for people living with HIV in certain nondisclosure cases. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed the bipartisan measure, marking a change supporters say removes an outdated penalty tied to fear from the early AIDS crisis.
The now-ended enhancement had singled out an HIV diagnosis for harsher treatment under state law. Backers of the repeal argued that the policy reflected decades-old stigma rather than current public understanding of HIV and public health.
Shapiro’s approval of the bill gives Pennsylvania a revised legal approach that no longer treats an HIV diagnosis as a basis for extra felony punishment in those cases. Supporters described the move as a step toward making the state safer and fairer for people living with HIV.
The repeal also stands out because it drew bipartisan support, showing agreement across party lines on changing a law many critics viewed as discriminatory. The new measure is expected to reshape how Pennsylvania handles these cases going forward.
