KRS 214.600: Legislative findings.

The General Assembly finds that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, otherwise

known as AIDS, constitutes a serious and unique danger to the public health and welfare.

The General Assembly finds that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is transmitted by

sexual activity, by intravenous drug use, or from an infected mother to a fetus and that

public fear of contagion from casual contact is not supported by any scientific evidence.

The General Assembly finds that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is transmitted by

a retrovirus which makes the possibility of development of an immunization or cure

highly unlikely in the near future. The General Assembly finds that, once infected, there

is a high probability that an individual will develop acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome or a related syndrome and die a premature death as a result, but may live

productively for years in a communicable state without showing any signs or symptoms

of illness. The General Assembly finds the unique methods of transmission of this

disease, and its inevitably fatal course, have raised public fears; changed the attitudes of

employers, insurers, educators, law enforcement personnel, and health and medical

providers about dealing with the disease; and could unexpectedly raise the medical cos ts

of this state. The General Assembly intends to establish programs and requirements

related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome which carefully balance medical

necessity, the right to privacy, and protection of the public from harm and which establish

public programs for the care and treatment of persons with acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome and related conditions.