Rape survivors can obtain a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) after an assault. This exam helps collect evidence of the sexual assault and is provided free of charge to the survivor. As part of the SAFE, survivors also are provided with free emergency medical care for everything except treatment to prevent HIV.
HIV can be prevented with n-PEP, a medication that must be taken within 72 hours of exposure to HIV and for the next 28 days. The medication is expensive and many survivors face financial barriers that prevent them from obtaining the necessary treatment.
On Monday, March 11th, the House Health & Government Operations Committee will hear House Bill 1249, a bill to require that rape victims be provided with a full course of treatment to prevent HIV. The cost of this new program will be offset by preventing 2.5 survivors from contracting HIV.
The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault urges you to contact members of the House Health & Government Operations Committee and ask them to vote favorably on HB1249 Pilot Program - Alleged Rape, Sexual Offense, or Child Sexual Abuse - HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis. This bill would ensure that rape victims have meaningful access to medication to prevent HIV infection after a sexual assault.
Please contact members of the Health & Government Operations Committee today, and urge them to vote favorably for House Bill 1249.
A list of the members of the House of Delegates Health & Government Operations Committee along with phone and email contact information is below.
House Health & Government Operations Committee
Delegate Shane E. Pendergrass, Chair
District 13, Howard County
410-841-3139 | 301-858-3139
[email protected]
Delegate Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk, Vice-Chair
District 21, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties
410-841-3502 | 301-858-3502
[email protected]
Delegate Heather Bagnall
District 33, Anne Arundel County
410-841-3406 | 301-858-3406
[email protected]
Delegate Erek L. Barron
District 24, Prince George’s County
410-841-3692 | 301-858-3692
[email protected]
Delegate Harry Bhandari
District 8, Baltimore County
410-841-3526 | 301-858-3526
[email protected]
Delegate Alfred C. Carr, Jr.
District 18, Montgomery County
410-841-3638 | 301-858-3638
[email protected]
Delegate Nick Charles
District 25, Prince George’s County
410-841-3707 | 301-858-3707
[email protected]
Delegate Brian Chisholm
District 31B, Anne Arundel County
410-841-3206 | 301-858-3206
[email protected]
Delegate Bonnie Cullison
District 19, Montgomery County
410-841-3883 | 301-858-3883
[email protected]
Delegate Terri L. Hill
District 12, Baltimore and Howard Counties
410-841-3378 | 301-858-3378
[email protected]
Delegate Steve Johnson
District 34A, Harford County
410-841-3280 | 301-858-3280
[email protected]
Delegate Ariana B. Kelly
District 16, Montgomery County
410-841-3642 | 301-858-3642
[email protected]
Delegate Ken Kerr
District 3B, Frederick County
410-841-3240 | 301-858-3240
[email protected]
Delegate Nicholaus R. Kipke
District 31B, Anne Arundel County
410-841-3421 | 301-858-3421
[email protected]
Delegate Susan W. Krebs
District 5, Carroll County
410-841-3200 | 410-841-3200
[email protected]
Delegate Robbyn Lewis
District 46, Baltimore City
410-841-3772 | 301-858-3772
[email protected]
Delegate Ric Metzgar
District 6, Baltimore County
410-841-3332 | 301-858-3332
[email protected]
Delegate Matthew Morgan
District 29A, St. Mary’s County
410-841-3170 | 301-858-3170
[email protected]
Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg
District 41, Baltimore City
410-841-3297 | 301-858-3297
[email protected]
Delegate Sid Saab
District 33, Anne Arundel County
410-841-3551 | 301-858-3551
[email protected]
Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes
District 37A, Dorchester and Wicomico Counties
410-841-3427 | 301-858-3427
[email protected]
Delegate Kathy Szeliga
District 7, Baltimore and Howard Counties
410-841-3698 | 301-858-3698
[email protected]
Delegate Karen Lewis Young
District 3A, Frederick County
410-841-3436 | 301-858-3436
[email protected]
