feedback
Legal Protections
The human rights issues brought to the fore by the HIV epidemic sometimes have eclipsed the medical concerns.   Examples of discrimination have arisen in schools, in the workplace, in health-care settings, and in virtually every corner of our society.   Many argue that no disease since leprosy (Hansen's Disease) has evoked such powerful stigmas in our society.

     ...   patients denied dental care because they have AIDS
     ...   students not allowed to attend school
     ...   inmates denied basic services
     ...   families burned out of their homes

These stigmas are so strong that strong measures are needed to prevent even identifying someone as HIV-infected.   Over a decade and a half into the epidemic, the issue of discrimination against infected individuals is still very much with us.

A series of laws and policies have been enacted to codify the rights of individuals who are infected and the handling of HIV-related information.    The legal rights of students at the University at Albany are protected under both University policies and a series of New York State and Federal laws.

We encourage everyone infected with or affected by HIV to know their rights and protections.    Please follow the links below to find applicable information.

  • NewYork State has one of the most stringent laws in the nation protecting the confidentiality of an individual´s HIV status.   With very few, narrowly defined exceptions, information regarding an individual's HIV serostatus can be shared with others -- even other care providers -- only with the written consent of the patient.

         View NYS Confidentiality Law

  • The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides specific protections against discrimination for persons with qualifying disabling conditions, including CDC-defined AIDS.    (As of this writing, HIV infection without AIDS-defining conditions is not deemed to be a qualifying condition for protection under ADA.)

         Department of Justice ADA Site     (Federal site)
         The ADA Document Center     (Private, very comprehensive site)


  • University at Albany Policies (coming soon)


Please note:   Information is provided here for general background purposes only.    Laws other than those mentioned here also apply to persons infected with HIV.    Advice specific to your situation should be obtained from legal counsel.