The Senate voted to overturn Gov. Mark Sanford veto of a bill that would ends the practice of state health regulators informing schools when they have an HIV-positive student.
Supporters of a bill to end the reporting practice argued the requirement discouraged children from being tested. But Sanford said school nurses and administrators should know if a student is HIV positive.
A debate among Senators centered on whether knowing the HIV status of students was necessary to make sure children are treated in the event blood is spilled at school.
Supporters of the bill said all students should be treated as if they could have a blood-bourne illness, which is already protocol in schools.
The Senate needed a two-thirds vote to make the bill law. The first vote was 25 to 13, or one vote short of two thirds. Then, the Senate reconsidered and second vote was 26 to 10 to override the veto.
The Senate has overridden all of Sanford's vetoes so far. The House must agree with the Senate with a two-thirds vote to make the bill law.
Referring to the senate's override of AIDS reporting and to borrow a phrase from the movie Forrest Gump, ARE THEY CRAZY OR JUST PLAIN STUPID?
Posted by: Bob | 30 June 2008 at 11:55 AM
Ignorance toward HIV/AIDS is perpetuated by vetos like the one by Sanford. People should try to get educated about issues before deciding how to 'vote'. Good for the Senate overriding such an antiquated mode of thinking. Universal precautions are supposed to be universal. As far as the comment about the override being 'stupid' - take 10 minutes and learn something about HIV. The scariest thing about HIV/AIDS is the amount of bad information out there and the number of people who cling to incorrect ideas about it.
Posted by: David | 04 July 2008 at 11:02 AM
I'm afraid David got this one right. The governor needs an update on universal precautions.
Posted by: Kir | 03 February 2009 at 09:07 PM