ALBANY – Governor Cuomo has signed legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) to provide expanded HIV-prevention medication and care to those who are the victims of sexual assault.

“No victim of a crime, especially one this traumatic, should ever be denied access to the treatment that can prevent HIV/AIDS,” Jaffe said.

The bill, carried in the Senate by Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Nassau), provides sexual assault victims with a seven day supply of post-exposure prophylaxis treatment to prevent contraction of HIV/AIDS, contingent on their undergoing a forensic rape exam and found to be at risk of HIV/AIDS exposure. Emergency room departments will then, with the victim’s consent, arraign for or provide medical follow up.

Current state law provides sexual assault victims with a three-day supply of treatment and Jaffee said does not sufficiently encourage follow up care.