California Governor Signs Groundbreaking PrEP Bill Into Law

"AB 2640 is a crucial step toward raising awareness about effective HIV prevention tools."

From: NewNowNext

 Governor Jerry Brown just signed into law a bill that will ensure that high-risk HIV-negative Californians will receive information about PrEP, PEP and other HIV prevention measures following any test for the virus.

AB 2640 was co-sponsored by the LA LGBT Center and APLA Health and passed by the Senate and Assembly last August. The bill is intended to improve statewide education on PrEP and other protective tools.

 “We are extremely pleased that Governor Brown has signed this bill into law,” APLA Health Chief Executive Officer Craig E. Thompson said.

“This is one of several proposals the governor has supported to increase information about and the availability of PrEP and PEP, and we thank him for his continued leadership on this issue,” he added. “AB 2640 is a crucial step toward raising awareness about effective HIV prevention tools, reducing new infections, and ending the epidemic in California.”

It’s hoped that the bill will help disseminate information and awareness about HIV status and prevention to people of all income and education levels.

“With the stroke of his pen, Governor Brown has played a significant and groundbreaking role in helping to fight HIV in the state that ranks second in the nation in cumulative AIDS cases,” Los Angeles LGBT Center Medical Director Dr. Robert Bolan remarked.

“Those most at risk of HIV infection deserve to know about all the options to stay negative, including PrEP and PEP,” he concluded. “By signing AB 2640, Governor Brown is helping to promote options that have the potential to change the course of the epidemic in California and significantly reduce the HIV infection rate here.”

AB 2640 is the latest in a string of pro-LGBT measures passed by the state, including the launch of a transgender employment program, a bill mandating schools to have comprehensive suicide-prevention plans, a new LGBT history requirement in schools and a law that prevents LGBT discrimination at faith-based colleges.