Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Associated Press; 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020 - Thursday, August 28, 1997; 5:33 a.m. EDT
A hearing was set for today in Denver District Court on a motion by the Colorado Attorney General's office to prevent release of the results.
Sandra L. Saunders was scheduled to stand trial Sept. 8 on charges of prostitution with knowledge of being infected with the virus that causes AIDS. Saunders, 36, has been jailed since March 2. If convicted, she could be sentenced to one to three years in prison and fined up to $100,000.
The District Attorney's office was seeking release of Saunders' records because she has refused to say whether she was HIV-positive.
From her jail cell Wednesday, Saunders said she became a prostitute to support her drug habit.
"You could call me a garbage-can junkie," she told The Denver Post. "I have been addicted to everything: heroin, crack, cocaine, speed, downers -- everything."
Under state law, HIV test reports "shall not be released, shared with any agency or institution, or made public, upon subpoena, search warrant, discovery proceedings or otherwise."
The law allows three exceptions: for statistical purposes that do not identify individuals; for treatment, control and investigation of HIV infections by public health officials; and for medical personnel to protect a specific person's health or life.
"We have no intention of turning over any public health records on any matter, whether it's this one or any of the others that we have custody of. It's in keeping with our policy and what we believe is the law," Patti Shwayder, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, told the newspaper.
Copyright 1997/The Associated Press. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.
970828
AP970813
Copyright © 1997 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
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, National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. 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, 1997. 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. .