Maryland Becomes 5th State To Decriminalize HIV

Maryland Becomes 5th State To Decriminalize HIV

LGBTQNews reports that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed legislation on Tuesday that decriminalizes HIV. The Carlton R. Smith Act – named for a local HIV activist who died last year – eliminates criminal penalties based on one’s HIV status. Read more at LGBTQNation

Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday signed a bill that decriminalizes HIV in the state. State Dels. Kris Fair (D-Frederick County) and Luke Clippinger (D-Baltimore City) are among the lawmakers who sponsored House Bill 39 or the Carlton R. Smith Act, which is named after the long-time activist known as the “mayor” of Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood who died in May 2024. Smith was a member of the Coalition to Decriminalize HIV in Maryland th…