Zoe Lofgren: “I support this legislation, which gives the Attorney General the authority to test prison inmates for the human…”

“I support this legislation, which gives the Attorney General the authority to test prison inmates for the human immunodeficiency virus in the event that there is reason to believe that an individual has come into contact with the bodily fluids of an inmate, thus preventing potential exposure to the virus. This bill was introduced out of concern for the health and safety of Federal corrections officers who may be exposed to HIV. There is treatment available designed to prevent transmission of HIV after exposure, but as the chairman has pointed out, this treatment must be administered within 2 to 24 hours of exposure. This legislation is designed to provide for testing of inmates who may have transmitted the disease to persons working in or visiting Federal correctional facilities. H.R. 2070 provides that if an inmate in a Federal correctional facility may have transmitted HIV to a correctional officer or visitor, the Attorney General should test that inmate for HIV on the request of the person who may have been exposed to the virus.”