Most New Yorkers don't know this:

New York still has a law that makes it a crime for someone who knows they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) to have sexual intercourse. The law does not require an intent to transmit an infection. It does not require actual transmission. Advocates note that disclosure, consent, and safer sex practices are not explicitly recognized as defenses under the statute.

The law, Public Health Law §2307, states:

"Any person who, knowing himself or herself to be infected with an infectious venereal disease, has sexual intercourse with another shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

Think about what that means.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world. Most sexually active adults will be exposed to HPV during their lifetime. Millions of New Yorkers have had HPV, currently have HPV, or have no idea they are carrying it.

Yet New York continues to maintain a law that can expose people living with sexually transmitted infections to criminal prosecution simply because they know their status and engage in consensual sexual activity. Advocates argue that the law treats a public health issue as a criminal issue.

This law was written in a different era, long before modern science transformed our understanding of HIV, HPV, herpes, viral suppression, treatment, prevention, and sexual health.

Today, public health experts overwhelmingly recognize that stigma and criminalization do not stop the spread of infections.

Instead, these laws can:

Discourage people from getting tested.

Discourage people from learning their status.

Increase stigma against people living with HIV and other STIs.

Undermine trust between patients and healthcare providers.

Treat health conditions as criminal matters rather than public health concerns.

The New York State Senate recognized this reality and passed the REPEAL STI Discrimination Act, legislation that would repeal Public Health Law §2307. The bill's stated purpose is to decriminalize people living with sexually transmitted infections who engage in consensual sexual activity.

But despite Senate passage and years of advocacy from public health organizations, civil rights advocates, HIV organizations, and legal experts, the Assembly was never allowed to vote on the bill. The legislation remained under the control of Assembly leadership and Speaker Carl Heastie.

New Yorkers deserve better.

No one should face criminal penalties because of a health condition.

No one should be discouraged from seeking testing or treatment.

No one should be forced to live under laws rooted in stigma rather than science.

We Call on Speaker Carl Heastie and the New York State Assembly to:

Bring the REPEAL STI Discrimination Act back for a vote.
Repeal Public Health Law §2307.
End the criminalization of people living with STIs.
Advance evidence based public health policies grounded in science, not stigma.

Sign This Petition

Tell Speaker Heastie:

Public Health, Not Punishment.

Bring the REPEAL STI Discrimination Act to the Assembly Floor. End STI Criminalization in New York.