- Reaction score
- 1,694
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — House Bill 3098, authored by Senator Jessica Garvin and Representative Toni Hasenbeck, could criminalize common STIs and turn thousands of Oklahomans into felons.
Instead of reducing the spread of STIs, experts in the field say the bill would make the problem worse.
If signed into law, House Bill 3098 would criminalize the intentional or reckless spread of STIs.
Violators could face between 2 to 5 years in prison.
However reckless is not defined in the bill, which experts in the field say leaves an open door to potential unnecessary lawsuits and prosecutions.
Because of the broad language, rather than encouraging Oklahomans to get tested, treated, and reduce the spread of STIs, House Bill 3098 could make the problem worse.
Experts fear the bill would deter folks from getting tested for STIs if they fear prosecution.
ktul.com
Instead of reducing the spread of STIs, experts in the field say the bill would make the problem worse.
If signed into law, House Bill 3098 would criminalize the intentional or reckless spread of STIs.
Violators could face between 2 to 5 years in prison.
However reckless is not defined in the bill, which experts in the field say leaves an open door to potential unnecessary lawsuits and prosecutions.
Because of the broad language, rather than encouraging Oklahomans to get tested, treated, and reduce the spread of STIs, House Bill 3098 could make the problem worse.
Experts fear the bill would deter folks from getting tested for STIs if they fear prosecution.
House bill criminalizing common STIs, could turn thousands of Oklahomans into felons
House bill 3098, authored by Senator Jessica Garvin and Representative Toni Hasenbeck, could criminalize common STI’s and turn thousands of Oklahomans into felo
ktul.com
