LAW 951LEC - Sex Disease & Law

The legal reaction to diseases transmitted by sexual activity has changed as the sexual mores in the US have changed over the past 100 years. In the early 20th century, women were imprisoned/quarantined simply for the suspicion that they might have syphilis. Now, the courts have a variety of opinions on the culpability of individuals with HIV who have unprotected sex with unknowing partners. This class will review the changes in the public health response and the legal treatment of sexually transmitted diseases from syphilis to HIV. Does the police power of the states reach into the intimate lives of citizens to combat sexually transmitted diseases? Does the First Amendment right of free association include public sexual meeting places? Is there a duty to warn sexual partners about a sexually transmissible disease? This course will include a variety of cases on all of these issues.

Credits: 1