04/28/1993 02:30 PM Senate JUD

 SENATOR TAYLOR introduced  CSHB 109(JUD)  (BLOOD TESTS ON SEX                 
 CRIME PERPETRATORS) as the next order of business.                            
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT, prime sponsor of HB 109, said the                   
 legislation is a victim's rights bill.  Victims of rape and                   
 other sexual assaults are faced with many difficulties, not                   
 of which the least is the fear of infection by sexually                       
 transmitted diseases.  The victim of a sexual assault has a                   
 right to know whether the alleged offender is infected with                   
 HIV or some other sexually transmitted disease.                               
                                                                               
 HB 109 allows victims to get early warning about possible                     
 exposure and to take precautions necessary to protect                         
 themselves and their loved ones from the threat of a disease.                 
                                                                               
 Number 456                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR LITTLE said her fear in approving the legislation was                 
 that it may give victims a false hope,  because in the case                   
 of an HIV infection, it may not show up for some time.                        
 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT agreed that with HIV there is no guarantee                
 that an individual has the virus or doesn't have the virus,                   
 but what they are trying to address with the legislation is                   
 to allow some of the concerns to be minimized.                                
                                                                               
 Number 475                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR HALFORD moved that CSHB 109(JUD) be passed out of                     
 committee with individual recommendations.  SENATOR LITTLE                    
 objected.  The roll was taken with the following result:                      
 Senators Halford, Jacko and Taylor voted "Yea" and Senator                    
 Little voted "Nay."  The Chair stated the motion carried.