Propositions on AIDS

The Times is right to oppose Proposition 96, a well-intended but unnecessary and deficient AIDS measure. If adopted, Proposition 96 would contradict strong, bipartisan legislation passed unanimously and recently signed into law by the governor that mandates AIDS testing of certain persons who commit sexual assaults or assaults on law enforcement officers.

But The Times is wrong to blame legislative delay and ineffectiveness for this measure. Block sponsored Proposition 96 because at the very end of last year’s session the Legislature chose to defer action on a bill that he supported which embraced the provisions of Proposition 96. Instead, we decided to consider that bill this year in conjunction with all other proposals on AIDS.

Rather than act hastily or in isolation, the Legislature chose to act responsibly and comprehensively. The Senate created a Select Committee on AIDS, ably chaired by Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara), and the Assembly formed an AIDS Task Force, on which I served. As a result of our work, the Legislature passed 53 AIDS bills this year, including Hart’s SB 2643 and Sen. Robert Presley’s (D-Riverside) SB 1913, which do a much better job than Proposition 96 protecting victims of sexual assaults and law enforcement officers who may have been exposed to AIDS.

Sheriff Block has achieved his laudable objective and deserves credit. However, even though there no longer is any need for Proposition 96 and, worse, its passage could undermine the preferable Hart and Presley laws, it is too late to remove Proposition 96 from the ballot. The voters are well-advised to vote no.

TERRY B. FRIEDMAN

Assemblyman

D-Tarzana