2 AIDS Vaccine Bills Clear Legislature : Measures Cover Research and Testing of Experimental Drugs

Two measures intended to promote the development of an AIDS vaccine easily won final legislative approval Friday and were sent to Gov. George Deukmejian.

One bill, by Assemblyman John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara), cleared the Assembly on a 72-2 vote as the Legislature prepared to adjourn the 1986 session. It would provide $6 million for the testing of experimental vaccines once they were developed.

The bill would also limit the financial liability of manufacturers of a federally approved vaccine and would create a special fund to compensate those injured in a vaccination program. One provision would require the state to buy up to 500,000 doses of an approved vaccine if manufacturers cannot find a market for their product.

A second bill, by Assemblyman William J. Filante (R-Greenbrae), would provide $4 million in loans to California companies for research on an AIDS vaccine. The vote was 70 to 1.

Governor ‘Favorable’

Deukmejian previously indicated that he looked “favorably” on both measures.

In a separate action, the Assembly also approved, 42 to 30, another AIDS measure, this one aimed at protecting AIDS patients from discrimination in housing and employment.

The bill, by Assemblyman Art Agnos (D-San Francisco), is very similar to one vetoed by Deukmejian earlier this year. The governor has said that he will not change his mind, but Agnos and other backers hope that they can persuade Deukmejian to approve the anti-discrimination proposal when it reaches his desk a second time.

In a heated debate, Agnos argued that protecting those who believe they may have AIDS from discrimination would encourage victims to seek diagnosis and treatment, a vital step in preventing the spread of the fatal disease.

“People will not come forward . . . if they are afraid for their jobs, their homes and their very livelihood,” Agnos said.

Not Enough Known

Opponents argued that protection for AIDS victims would expose the public to the disease, arguing that not enough is known about a fatal illness that is known to be spread by sexual contact and the use of contaminated hypodermic needles.

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) noted that AIDS “attacks the brains of its victims, and mental illness is sometimes the first sign of the disease.” He said an airline might be forced to hire a pilot with AIDS, who could become deranged while flying a commercial plane.

But Agnos pointed out that the bill would permit employers to refuse jobs to AIDS victims if they could show by a medical examination that the health of the patient would affect their work performance.

Filante pointed out that there is no evidence that the dread disease can be transmitted by casual contact.