Posted on: Friday, January 25, 2002

Bill would require tests of sex offenders for HIV

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Convicted sex offenders would undergo mandatory testing for HIV, under terms of a bill backed by the bi-partisan Women's Legislative Caucus.

The bill, part of a package of legislation announced yesterday, would also would allow courts to require people charged with sex assault, child abuse or incest to undergo HIV testing at the victim's request.

"Too often people who have been raped or abused don't know whether their attackers are HIV positive," said Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-17th (Kahala, Wai'alae Iki). "They can request that a judge order testing, but if there is no test, the victim is left with the fear that they are infected. They may not know the results until perhaps six months later or longer."

The Women's Legislative Caucus is made up of all 19 women in the Hawai'i Legislature. The caucus this year dedicated its work to the late Katherine Graham, former chairwoman and publisher of The Washington Post.

The caucus is also pushing for bills that would:

• Require places that sell alcohol to post warning statements about the possible effects of drinking alcohol while pregnant.

• Provide money for homeless outreach services and outreach workers.

• Give $2 million to help workers who were laid off following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

• Appropriate money for after-school, weekend and school break programs.

• Establish an osteoporosis prevention and treatment education program in the University of Hawai'i that would be operated with private money.