Bill Tracker

HIV prevention initiative focusing on African-born residents

Updated: May 30, 2007

HIV Prevention Efforts for Foreign Born Communities Funded

In the same Health and Human Services funding bill, $250,000 in one-time funds was appropriated for targeted HIV prevention education in Foreign-born immigrant communities. These funds will be administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for future community programs. In particular, Rep. Neva Walker championed this legislation and ensured that it was a part of the final health bill.

Updated: May 16, 2007

The Health and Human Services Conference Committee has included onetime funding for HIV prevention targeting foreign-born Minnesotans in the amount of $300,000. This legislation had originally targeted African-born Minnesotans but was later amended to read “Foreign-born”. This change reflects the recent Minnesota HIV infection rate data that was released on April 16 and it gives the Minnesota Department of Health greater flexibility in awarding grants. The Latino community showed an alarming increase in new HIV infections from 8 percent in 2005, to 14 percent of the total in 2006. The new HIV infection rate in the African-Born community was 11 percent, while still disproportionate compared to the size of the community, it has been steadily decreasing over time.

Governor Pawlenty vetoed this bill last week. The Governor’s veto will result in changes to the bill. Stay tuned to the MAP Advocate for future updates on the AIDSLine and Foreign-born HIV prevention funding.

Updated: April 5, 2007

HIV Prevention Targeting African-Born Communities Legislation

The HIV prevention legislation targeting African-Born communities received a favorable hearing in the House, and was included in the House Health Omnibus bill. It did not receive a hearing in the Senate. This legislation still has a chance to advance in conference committee.

Updated: March 22, 2007

HIV Prevention Targeting African-Born Communities in Minnesota

On Tuesday, March 13, the House Public Health Finance Committee heard this legislation. The bill will now be considered for inclusion in the final House Health Omnibus bill. This legislation did not receive a hearing in the Senate, so we will be exploring other strategies on this legislation.

HIV Prevention in African-Born Communities Legislation Hearing in the House This Wednesday

Legislation to provide onetime funding for HIV prevention grants in African-born communities in Minnesota will be heard this Wednesday. In 2005 16% of the new HIV infections in Minnesota were among African-born Minnesotans. African communities make up less than 1% of the total Minnesota population and are, therefore, disproportionately affected by HIV. MAP thanks Senator Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis) and Representative Neva Walker (DFL-Minneapolis) for authoring this legislation (House File 1723). The HIV Prevention in African-Born Communities legislation will be heard in the House Public Health Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 14.

Take Action:

Contact the House Public Health Finance Committee Members and ask them to support HIV Prevention in African-Born Communities legislation.

Updated: March 8, 2007

AIDS Prevention Initiative Focusing on African-Born Residents Introduced

The African-born HIV prevention bills have been introduced in the Senate and House.  Sen. Berglin (Minneapolis-DFL) is chief Senate author and Rep. Walker (Minneapolis-DFL) is chief author in the House. 

Bill Numbers:
Senate File 1463
House File 1723

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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