Osun Assembly Passes HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Bill

The Osun State House of Assembly has passed the state HIV/AIDS Anti-discrimination Bill 2021 into law.

The motion for the bill which was passed into law Wednesday 17th March 2021, after the third reading at the Plenary Session was moved by Majority leader, Maroof Olanrewaju and seconded by Elizabeth Abioye representing Ifedayo state Constituency respectively.

Earlier, Order 87, Rule 1 and 2 had empowered the House of Assembly to commit the mentioned bill to the Committee of the Whole after the second reading for more clarification, corrections and amendments to Clause 18 of the bill.

The Speaker of the Parliament, Timothy Owoeye in his remarks noted that the bill would provide protection for People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) adding that the bill was necessary for the people and the state at large.

According to him, “The bill will protect the life of people living with the disease. It would also protect against stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with HIV and AIDS when passed into law.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Bill 2021 which was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Olufeni Popoola has passed through the first reading.

The Speaker had also directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Simeon Amusan to send the Bill to the Ministry of Health so as to avoid duplicating any one in existence.