The Center for HIV Law and Policy

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Making positive justice possible.

CHLP is an abolitionist legal and policy organization that envisions and works for a world where HIV and other stigmatized health conditions are no longer criminalized but met with compassion and the resources to thrive.

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Introducing the CHLP 2023 Impact Report

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View a pdf of the 2023 Impact Report.

This first-of-its-kind report from CHLP highlights our work to manifest change and advance our mission throughout 2023. Our first year under the leadership of Executive Director S. Mandisa Moore-O’Neal was one of transformation and grounded reassessments during which CHLP:

Adopted a new mission, vision, and unapologetically abolitionist framework that has become a model for the HIV justice movement;
Celebrated the DOJ findings that HIV criminal laws violate the ADA, based on an innovative legal strategy developed by CHLP;
Challenged the CDC on Molecular HIV Surveillance policy and created a roadmap for advocates on how to address MHS with lawmakers;
Demanded improvements to the Older Americans Act while working to develop a legal primer for people living and aging with HIV, and much more.

The vital partnership of our friends, colleagues, and funders is crucial to this and the important work that lies ahead. Thank you for your continued support.

In the News

Logos of CHLP, Lambda Legal, Legal Action Center, U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus, Positive Women’s Network, Transgender Law Center, The Well Project, HealthHIV, AVAC, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and The American Civil Liberties Union

December 20, 2024

CHLP Submits Comments to the CDC Regarding Notice and Consent in HIV Testing

CHLP’s submitted comments address the necessity of guaranteeing a person’s right to give informed consent as to any portion of their medical care, and that the impact of these changes may be to further drive a wedge between communities that are vulnerable to HIV and the medical care system.

December 1, 2024

CHLP Releases Two New MHS Resources on World AIDS Day

CHLP is releasing two resources this World AIDS Day focused on both explaining the issues related to Molecular HIV Surveillance and providing a policy path to protect data privacy as a means to improve access to healthcare.

Policy and legal groups gathered for a community interim study about HIV at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Wednesday, November 20.

November 27, 2024

CHLP joins Allies for Public Forum on HIV Criminalization at Oklahoma State Capitol

On November 20, 2024, CHLP participated in an interim study about HIV criminalization sponsored by Oklahoma State Senators Julia Kirt and Carri Hicks.

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Visionary Justice

If you share CHLP's vision of radical, transformative, and Visionary Justice, please donate to our fundraising campaign. The entire CHLP team thanks you for your solidarity and support. We cannot create the world we all deserve without you!

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What We Do

Recent Webinars

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Kill the Bill: Navigating Through Legislative Decisions and Mobilizing Advocates

August 20, 2024

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Aging & HIV: Webinar Discusses CHLP's New Legal Primer

August 16, 2024

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The DOJ Findings on the ADA in Tennessee, Part 2: How Advocates are Applying the Findings

February 27, 2024

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What’s the Hoopla about HIPAA?

February 22, 2024

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The DOJ Findings on the ADA in Tennessee, Part 1: Exploring the Facts

December 19, 2023

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Let's Talk Abolition: Pride Edition

June 26, 2023

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Find Laws In Your State

Information on HIV criminalization laws and policies in every state based on research for CHLP's Sourcebook on State and Federal HIV Criminal Law and Practice.

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Featured CHLP Publications

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HIV Criminalization in the United States: A Sourcebook on State and Federal HIV Criminal Law and Practice, CHLP (updated January 2024)

January 31, 2024

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The PJP Update, Positive Justice Project (September 2022)

September 12, 2022

Map infographic displaying stats related to HIV Criminalization in the US

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Map: HIV Criminalization in the United States, CHLP (updated 2022)

June 28, 2022

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Timeline of State Reforms and Repeals of HIV Criminal Laws, CHLP (updated 2022)

June 28, 2022

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Map: An Overview of States Criminalizing Viral Hepatitis, CHLP (updated May 2022)

May 18, 2022

U.S. HIV Laws and Prosecutorial Tools Chart Thumbnail

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U.S. HIV Laws and Prosecutorial Tools, CHLP (updated 2022)

April 4, 2022

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Latest Resources

CHLP's National Resource Center on HIV, Infectious Disease, Sexual Health and Identity is a comprehensive database of materials to inform and support sound laws and advocacy around stigmatized identities.

Letters and Other Advocacy Documents

Public Comments to CDC on draft "Recommendations for HIV Screening in Clinical Settings," CHLP et al (2024)

These comments authored by CHLP with Lambda Legal, the Legal Action Center, the U.S.

Letters and Other Advocacy Documents

Comment on the 2026-2030 National HIV/AIDS Strategy, CHLP (2024)

In response to the recent Request for Information for a new National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), CHLP submitted responses that emphasized the importance of recognizing the scope and impact of HIV criminalization and other nonconsensual or punitive policy and legal approaches.

Fact Sheet

What is Molecular HIV Surveillance and does it put me at risk? CHLP (2024)

CHLP authored this in-depth look at the practice of Molecular HIV Surveillance (MHS) and explains its framework, goals, and concerns. MHS is a form of public health surveillance utilized by public health officials to address gaps in HIV treatment and prevention.

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