Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1988. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
LOS ANGELES TIMES (LT) - THURSDAY August 11, 1988 Edition: Home Edition Section: ONE Page: 32 Pt. 1 Col. 1 Word Count: 353
Noel K. Wilson; Times Staff Writer
As originally worded, the ballot stated that the initiative would require "AIDS case reporting." But the ACLU contended that the measure--sponsored by Rep. William Dannemeyer (R-Fullerton)--was misleading because it actually requires physicians to report the names of people who test positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including those who have not developed symptoms of the disease.
The attorney general's office agreed to rewrite the measure's title and change the wording in the ballot summary after the ACLU filed two separate lawsuits challenging the validity of the initiative. On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge James Ford approved the out-of-court settlement reached between the the ACLU and the attorney general.
"It's a fair result and it will do its job," said Deputy Atty. Gen. Richard Frank.
In an effort to keep the initiative off the Nov. 8 ballot, the ACLU, in conjunction with the California Medical Assn. and the California Nurses Assn., filed an earlier lawsuit challenging the initiative on grounds that it violated the single-subject rule and that the qualifying petitions contained misrepresentative wording. Sacramento Superior Court Judge Roger Warren ruled against the ACLU.
ACLU attorney Matthew Coles called the initiative "extremely bad public health policy," but said there are no further plans to challenge the ballot measure in court.
Wednesday's settlement changes the initiative's ballot title to read "Reporting Exposure to AIDS Virus" instead of the previous "AIDS Case Reporting," which had been applied by the secretary of state's office. It also adds language to the ballot summary saying that the measure would eliminate confidentiality of test results for those who test positive to the virus.
Paul Gann, the anti-tax crusader and a sponsor of the initiative, said he was "delighted with the new title because it accurately describes what the initiative does." Gann contracted AIDS as the result of a blood transfusion five years ago.
Copyright © 1988 - Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Los Angeles Times, Permissions, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. http://www.latimes.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1988. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1988. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .