Tulare County plan would require HIV testing for sex crime suspects

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new ordinance ready for vote by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday would mandate HIV testing for suspects arrested for many sexually-based crimes in the county.

"Before, if they suspected the suspect was HIV positive then they could say it, they could tell us, but there wasn't always a guarantee," said Tulare County sheriff's spokeswoman Megan Rapozo.

The new ordinance doesn't mean everyone arrested for a sexually-based offense will be tested for HIV; victims will still need to request the testing, but it does require the testing to be done within 48 hours. It's a change Tulare County Family Services is celebrating.

"Having the most information available to them, whether that's about resources or about a suspect's HIV status, I think those are things that can only empower a victim moving forward," said Caity Meader, executive director of Tulare County Family Services.

Meader says they'll start working with their advocates once the ordinance is passed to get the information to victims.

"We're really there to support the victim, let them know about their options, be their emotional support during a really crisis-driven time," she said.

The new policy is a requirement to receive a $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office uses the grant money for a unit that investigates domestic violence and sexually-based crimes.

District 4 County Supervisor Steven Worthley says the county plans to vote for this ordinance to keep the money coming and continue to give victims a voice.

"Otherwise there's that fear factor and danger of not only the crime itself, which is a horrendous crime, but what are some of the implications going into the future?" he said.