HIV and South Carolina Law

It is a crime in South Carolina for a person who knows that he or she has HIV to:

• Have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with another person without first revealing their HIV positive status, 
• Share IV drug needles and/or syringes without first telling the other person that he or she has HIV,
• Give or sell blood, plasma, sperm, organs, tissue, other bodily fluids, or body parts,
• Knowingly commit an act of prostitution with another person, 
• Forcibly engage in sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) without the consent of the other person, including one’s legal spouse.
  (S.C. Code of Laws 44-29-145, Revised 2002)

If found guilty of this felony, the person who violates the law could spend up to 10 years in prison and/or be fined up to $5,000.

If you are concerned about a violation of this law, please contact:

• Cindy Crick, Spartanburg County Solicitor’s Office at 596-3815, to open an investigation
  And/or
• Disease Intervention Specialist SC DHEC at 596-2227