evidence-based recommendations for effective HIV responses. The Commission calls for governments, civil society and international bodies to repeal punitive laws and enact laws that facilitate and enable effective responses to HIV prevention, care and treatment services for all who need them . The Commission recommends against the enactment of laws that explicitly criminalize HIV transmission, exposure or non-disclosure of HIV status, which are counterproductive . (15) In 2010, the President released a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), which addressed HIV-specific criminal laws, stating: While we understand the intent behind these laws, they may not have the desired effect and they may make people less willing to disclose their status by making people feel at even greater risk of discrimination. In some cases, it may be appropriate for legislators to reconsider whether existing laws continue to further the public interest and public health. In many instances, the continued existence and enforcement of these types of laws run counter to scientific evidence about routes of HIV transmission and may undermine the public health goals of promoting HIV screening and treatment. . The NHAS also states that State legislatures should consider reviewing HIV-specific criminal statutes to ensure that they are consistent with current knowledge of HIV transmission and support public health approaches to preventing and treating HIV. (16) In February 2013, the President’s Advisory Council on AIDS (PACHA) passed a resolution stating all U.S. law should be consistent with current medical and scientific knowledge and accepted human rights-based approaches to disease control and prevention and avoid imposition of unwarranted punishment based on health and disability status . 3. Sense of Congress regarding laws or regulations directed at people living with HIV It is the sense of Congress that Federal and State laws, policies, and regulations regarding people living with HIV— (1) should not place unique or additional burdens on such