AIDS Awareness Day at the Capitol
Today was AIDS Awareness Day at the State Capitol, and I was pleased to see members from APEX Community Care in Danbury, on which I serve as a Board member. This organization works to provide necessary services for individuals with HIV/AIDS, mental health and substance use disorders, as well as their families and communities. This includes case management, housing, food and utility assistance, transportation, and medical services, among others.
We have to continue taking critical steps to decrease and eradicate HIV/AIDS, and I am proud to have co-sponsored HB 6540. This bill seeks to expand access to preventative and prophylactic interventions for minors most vulnerable to HIV exposure. The bill would allow physicians and advanced practice registered nurses to provide prophylaxis to minors for HIV without parental or guardian consent. Currently, medical professionals can provide medical treatment, but not preventative treatment.