Overview
Connecticut does not have any HIV-specific laws or general disease laws capable of prosecuting people living with HIV. There is also no reported use of general criminal laws to prosecute HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, or alleged transmission.
People living with HIV who are imprisoned may be subjected to prolonged detention on the basis of their health status under a provision of Connecticut law. This provision permits the continued detention of people living with ‘venereal diseases’ if medical professionals deem it necessary to protect public health. The law does not include a limit on the amount of time this continued detention can be imposed, instead requiring a revised recommendation that they can be released, potentially allowing indefinite detention of someone living with HIV.
For a detailed analysis of HIV criminalisation in Connecticut, as well as all other US states, see the Center for HIV Law and Policy report, HIV Criminalisation in the United States: a Sourcebook on State and Federal HIV Criminal Law and Practice.
Laws
Connecticut Statutes § 18-94
Retention of inmates with sexually transmitted disease in correctional or charitable institutions
When the medical officer of, or any physician or advanced practice registered nurse employed in, any correctional or charitable institution reports in writing to the warden, superintendent or other officer in charge of such institution that any inmate thereof committed thereto by any court or supported therein in whole or in part at public expense is afflicted with any sexually transmitted disease so that such inmate’s discharge from such institution would be dangerous to the public health, such inmate shall, with the approval of such warden, superintendent or other officer in charge, be detained in such institution until such medical officer, physician or advanced practice registered nurse reports in writing to the warden, superintendent or officer in charge of such institution that such inmate may be discharged therefrom without danger to the public health. During detention the person so detained shall be supported in the same manner as before such detention.