OKLAHOMA, USA — Thousands of Oklahomans could soon become felons if a new bill that aims to criminalize the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) becomes law.
House Bill 3098, which passed in the House 78-14, would add chlamydia, genital herpes, hepatitis B, HPV and trichomoniasis to an existing list of STIs that are already criminalized by Oklahoma law. More specifically, it also targets folks who may be infected with these STIs and they end up spreading them "with intent" or "recklessly."
Those who are found guilty could face a jail sentence between two to five years.
Though the author of HB 3098 says he's hopeful it will help improve infection rates in the state, critics worry this bill will cause more harm than good.
"We don't want to scare people and make them go underground," Jeff Burdge with Hope Testing told News Channel 8 in Tulsa. "We want them to know what their sexual health status is, get tested, get educated, so we stop the spread."
He also said "reckless" was not clearly defined by the bill.
“Many Oklahomans aren't even aware that they have an STI,” Burdge said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for example, 85% of people who are sexually active will get HPV in their lifetime. Some may not know they are infected, either. Per the CDC, some HPV infections go away on their own. Additionally, most men may be unaware they have it because only women get tested for it.
“And so, you're criminalizing a group of people that may not even know what they have...," he said.
HB 3098 now heads to the Senate for a vote.
If it passes, it goes into effect on Nov. 1, 2024.