Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 8, 2017

Two Democratic lawmakers filed proposals this week that seek to expand a pilot needle-exchange program approved in 2016 for Miami-Dade County. After four unsuccessful tries, the Legislature finally passed a bill to create needle exchange program in Florida during the 2016 Legislative Session. Modest in scope, the bill was limited to only in Miami-Dade County. […]

Les NeuhausMarch 20, 2017

Roughly 34 years after the discovery of the virus that causes AIDS, Florida’s lawmakers are considering legislation whose maximum sentence would be death to knowingly spread the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, to a sexual partner without their knowledge, according to a committee that voted favorably Monday in regard to the measure. The bill, HB […]

Jim RosicaMarch 16, 2017

A law that requires someone with HIV to notify a potential sex partner beforehand applies to same-sex relationships as well as between a man and a woman, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously decided Thursday. The defendant, Gary Debaun, has been trying to have a charge dismissed under a 1986 state law designed to prevent the spread of the […]

Jim RosicaDecember 29, 2016

With the Florida Supreme Court‘s opinion releases on winter break till Jan. 12, several high-profile cases will remain unresolved in 2016. Here are a few, starting with the court’s official case summary: — Debaun v. State of Florida: “This case asks whether laws governing sexually transmissible diseases apply only when the parties involved are a man and […]

Scott PowersJune 9, 2016

Democratic congressional candidate Bob Poe of Orlando announced Thursday that he has HIV, though he is healthy and has been so since first being diagnosed 18 years ago. Poe, a Democrat running in Florida’s 10th Congressional District, said he struggled all year trying to decide whether, when and how to come out to voters and the public […]

Melissa RossMarch 18, 2016

Four new cases of the Zika virus were reported in Florida this week, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 66. To help prevent the disease from spreading further, late Thursday night the U.S. Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson and others to speed development of vaccines and treatments for the disease. […]

Diane RobertsFebruary 15, 2016

Sunday was Valentine’s Day. And what did those sweethearts in the Legislature give to the ladies of Florida? A swift kick in the ovaries. Rep. Charles Van Zant’s HB 865 would shut down all abortion clinics, urge the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and make abortion a felony. Zygotes are citizens, too. […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 8, 2016

It might surprise you to know that Florida has the highest rate of new HIV infections of any state in the United States. In addition, Miami-Dade and Broward counties are ranked first and second, respectively, among U.S. counties for that same ugly statistic. HIV/AIDS may have fallen from the headlines in recent years — and […]

Phil AmmannFebruary 3, 2016

When I was training as a surgeon, HIV and AIDS had just come on the scene. I remember the widespread fear – not only in the public — but throughout the medical and particularly the surgical community. Fear replaced reason and was a barrier to care for patients with HIV/AIDS. It was important to me […]

Mitch PerryOctober 20, 2015

Although she’s been thwarted in the past few years, Plantation Democratic state Rep. Katie Edwards is back again to propose a needle exchange program that would help prevent transmission of HIV and hepatitis among intravenous drug users. HB 81 would create a five-year pilot program with the University of Miami to offer free, clean and unused needles and syringes […]

Tag: HIV

Lawmakers seek expansion of needle-exchange program

Legislation advanced making knowingly spreading HIV through sex without partner’s knowledge a capital crime

Florida Supreme Court rules sex is sex, no matter who’s doing it

High-profile Supreme Court cases still hanging fire at year’s end

Congressional Candidate Bob Poe: ‘I have HIV’

U.S. Senate approves Bill Nelson bill to speed search for Zika virus cure

Diane Roberts: Legislators celebrate Valentine’s Day by working to limit women’s options

Dr. Hansel Tookes: Lawmakers can save lives by passing needle exchange program

Dr. John Armstrong: Florida is committed to eliminating HIV/AIDS

Katie Edwards hopes this year her needle exchange bill advances in Tallahassee