By Seth Hemmelgarn
The Bay Area Reporter
SACRAMENTO — A proposal to distribute condoms in California prisons is making its way through the state Legislature.
Assembly Bill 966, authored by Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee 6-1 Tuesday, January 14.
The legislation would require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop a five-year plan to distribute condoms in all state prisons. The corrections department would have the authority to determine the order of prisons it includes.
The bill is aimed at decreasing HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections.
In a news release, Bonta said STIs, including HIV/AIDS, “is a tragic reality of life in prison.”
“AB 966 is a simple and sound preventative public health policy that is evidence-based, cost effective, informed by a highly successful pilot project, and will save lives,” he said.
Full story: Bill calls for condoms in prisons