Existing law requires the Governor to proclaim various days as holidays and days of remembrance.

This bill would require the Governor to annually proclaim December 1 as World AIDS Day.

Existing law requires the Governor to proclaim various days as holidays and days of remembrance.

This bill would require the Governor to annually proclaim December 1 as World AIDS Day.

Existing law sets forth various provisions relating to the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) seniors, including certain needs assessments by area agencies on aging, a bill of rights for long-term care facility residents, public health data collection and strategic planning, and hospital equity reports, with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would enhance health care services for LGBTQ seniors in the state.

Date of Hearing: June 5, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Blanca Rubio, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1278

Author:(Laird) – As Amended Ver:March 18, 2024

SENATE VOTE: 36-0

SUBJECT: World AIDS Day

SUMMARY: This bill requires the Governor to annually proclaim December 1 as World AIDS Day.

EXISTING LAW:

1) Requires the Governor to annually proclaim various days as holidays and days of remembrance including May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

2) Establishes the LGBTQ Veterans Memorial at the Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City as the official state LGBTQ Veterans Memorial.

FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS:

Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “when I was Executive Director of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project in the 1980s, my mission was to keep people alive. We are forty years into the AIDS epidemic, and it is clear our efforts to educate and spread awareness are as important as ever. World AIDS Day allows us to stand with those currently living with an HIV or AIDS diagnosis and honor all the lives we have lost. Establishing World AIDS Day with Senate Bill 1278 reinforces California continues its commitment to the fight against HIV.”

Background.

HIV/AIDS and World AIDS Day. In June 1981, the first report on what would be known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This first official report of the AIDS Epidemic focused on five cases of a rare lung infection in Los Angeles, all young, previously healthy gay men. Today an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States have Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the infection that causes AIDS.

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (also known as helper T cells or T cells), which are a type of T cell critical for immune response. Over time, and without effective treatment, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can't fight off infections and disease, leading to the most advanced stage of HIV infection: AIDS.

AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections, or other severe clinical manifestations. It's important to note that not everyone who has HIV progresses to AIDS, thanks to advances in HIV treatments that can control the virus, helping most people with HIV to live long and healthy lives without ever developing AIDS.

As of 2022, 142,772 Californians were living with an HIV infection diagnosis, according to an annual report by the California Department of Public Health. In that same year, 4,882 Californians were newly diagnosed with HIV, and 2,169 Californians with HIV infections died.

Individuals with HIV often face negative and irrational judgements, and HIV stigma commonly stops people from seeking tools, testing, or treatment which negatively affects their health. Nearly eight in ten people with HIV in the United States reported feeling internalized HIV-related stigma, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

According to the World AIDS Day internet website, since 1988 communities have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and to remember lives lost. The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. It was first devised in 1991, when twelve artists met to discuss a new project for Visual AIDS, a New York HIV-awareness arts organization. In addition to wearing a red ribbon, World AIDS Day encourages individuals to help with fundraising and spreading awareness of issues affecting people living with HIV. World AIDS Day 2023’s theme was World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit.

In November of 2023, President Biden proclaimed December 1 as World AIDS Day and encouraged the Governors of the United States and the American people to join the HIV community in activities to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS and to provide support, dignity, and compassion to people with HIV. President Biden’s proclamation shared a simple message – Let us finish the fight. The President also highlighted the historic steps the administration has taken to move us closer to the end of the HIV epidemic, including the 2021 release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and a $850 million request to Congress for the Ending the HIV in the U.S. initiative to reduce new HIV cases, fight HIV stigma, and increase access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Additionally, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the California State Capitol Building dome be lit up in red to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1, 2023.

In support. In support of the bill, Equality California writes that, “California has been at the forefront of the HIV epidemic in the U.S. since the first cases of AIDS were detected in 1981. However, despite significant progress, HIV remains a major public health challenge in California, with over 4,800 new HIV diagnoses each year. Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, Black cisgender women, transgender women, and youth continue to be the populations most impacted by HIV. Over 142,700 Californians are currently living with diagnosed HIV infection. Forty years into the HIV epidemic, it is clear efforts to educate the public about HIV and how to protect against transmission are as important as ever.”

Prior legislation. AB 1741 (Low), Chapter 41, Statutes of 2022. Required the Governor to annually proclaim November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

AB 1432 (Low), Chapter 947, Statutes of 2021. Required the Governor to annually proclaim the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

AB 2439 (E. Garcia), Chapter 172, Statutes of 2018. Established the LGBT Veterans Memorial at the Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City as the official state LGBT Veterans Memorial.

AB 2969 (Low), Chapter 105, Statutes of 2018. Required the Governor to annually proclaim the month of June as LGBT Pride Month.

SB 572 (Leno), Chapter 626, Statutes of 2009. Among other things, required the Governor to annually proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

AIDS Healthcare Foundation
California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus
California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network
County Health Executives Association of California (CHEAC)
Equality California

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Eric Johnson / G.O. / (916) 319-2531

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 1278

Author: Laird (D)

Amended: 3/18/24

Vote: 21

SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 16-0, 4/23/24

AYES: Dodd, Wilk, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Bradford, Glazer, Jones, Nguyen, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas

SUBJECT: World AIDS Day

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the Governor to annually proclaim December 1 as World AIDS Day.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires the Governor to annually proclaim various days as holidays and days of remembrance including May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, and November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.
2. Establishes the LGBTQ Veterans Memorial at the Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City as the official state LGBTQ veterans memorial.

This bill requires the Governor to annually proclaim December 1 as World AIDS Day.

Background

Author Statement. According to the author, “when I was Executive Director of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project in the 1980s, my mission was to keep people alive. We are forty years into the AIDS epidemic, and it is clear our efforts to educate and spread awareness are as important as ever. World AIDS Day allows us to stand with those currently living with an HIV or AIDS diagnosis and honor all the lives we have lost. Establishing World AIDS Day with Senate Bill 1278 reinforces California continues its commitment to the fight against HIV.”

HIV/AIDS and World AIDS Day. In June 1981, the first report on what would be known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. This first official report of the AIDS Epidemic focused on five cases of a rare lung infection in Los Angeles, all young, previously healthy gay men. Today an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States have Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the infection that causes AIDS.

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (also known as helper T cells or T cells), which are a type of T cell critical for immune response. Over time, and without effective treatment, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can't fight off infections and disease, leading to the most advanced stage of HIV infection: AIDS.

AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections, or other severe clinical manifestations. It's important to note that not everyone who has HIV progresses to AIDS, thanks to advances in HIV treatments that can control the virus, helping most people with HIV to live long and healthy lives without ever developing AIDS.

As of 2022, 142,772 Californians were living with an HIV infection diagnosis, according to an annual report by the California Department of Public Health. In that same year, 4,882 Californians were newly diagnosed with HIV, and 2,169 Californians with HIV infections died.

Individuals with HIV often face negative and irrational judgements, and HIV stigma commonly stops people from seeking tools, testing, or treatment which negatively affects their health. Nearly eight in ten people with HIV in the United States reported feeling internalized HIV-related stigma, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

According to the World AIDS Day internet website, since 1988 communities have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and to remember lives lost. The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. It was first devised in 1991, when twelve artists met to discuss a new project for Visual AIDS, a New York HIV-awareness arts organization. In addition to wearing a red ribbon, World AIDS Day encourages individuals to help with fundraising and spreading awareness of issues affecting people living with HIV. World AIDS Day 2023’s theme was World AIDS Day 35: Remember and Commit.

In November of 2023, President Biden proclaimed December 1 as World AIDS Day and encouraged the Governors of the United States and the American people to join the HIV community in activities to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS and to provide support, dignity, and compassion to people with HIV. President Biden’s proclamation shared a simple message – Let us finish the fight. The President also highlighted the historic steps the administration has taken to move us closer to the end of the HIV epidemic, including the 2021 release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and a $850 million request to Congress for the Ending the HIV in the U.S. initiative to reduce new HIV cases, fight HIV stigma, and increase access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Further, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the California State Capitol Building dome be lit up in red to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1, 2023.

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 1741 (Low, Chapter 41, Statutes of 2022) required the Governor to annually proclaim November 20 as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

AB 1432 (Low, Chapter 947, Statutes of 2021) required the Governor to annually proclaim the month of June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

AB 2439 (E. Garcia, Chapter 172, Statutes of 2018) established the LGBT Veterans Memorial at the Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City as the official state LGBT Veterans Memorial.

AB 2969 (Low, Chapter 105, Statutes of 2018) required the Governor to annually proclaim the month of June as LGBT Pride Month.

SB 572 (Leno, Chapter 626, Statutes of 2009) among other things, required the Governor to annually proclaim May 22 as Harvey Milk Day.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/23/24)

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

County Health Executives Association of California
Equality California

The California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/23/24)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: In support of the bill, Equality California writes that, “California has been at the forefront of the HIV epidemic in the U.S. since the first cases of AIDS were detected in 1981. However, despite significant progress, HIV remains a major public health challenge in California, with over 4,800 new HIV diagnoses each year. Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, Black cisgender women, transgender women, and youth continue to be the populations most impacted by HIV. Over 142,700 Californians are currently living with diagnosed HIV infection. Forty years into the HIV epidemic, it is clear efforts to educate the public about HIV and how to protect against transmission are as important as ever.”

Prepared by: Brian Duke / G.O. / (916) 651-1530

4/24/24 15:05:37

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