Other/Miscellaneous Request Template (Appointments; ROW; Code Changes; Zoning Action, etc.)
Date Submitted: 6-14-21
Requesting Agency: Department of Public Health and Environment
Division:
Subject Matter Expert Name:
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Name: Will Fenton & Kevin Kelly |
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Email: kevin.kelly@denvergov.org |
Item Title & Description:
(Do not delete the following instructions)
These appear on the Council meeting agenda. Initially, the requesting agency will enter a 2-3 sentence description. Upon bill filling, the City Attorney’s Office should enter the title above the description (the title should be in bold font).
Both the title and description must be entered between the red “title” and “body” below. Do not at any time delete the red “title” or “body” markers from this template.
title
A bill for an ordinance amending the health and sanitation chapter of the Denver Revised Municipal Code to align testing for sexually transmitted infections with state statute.
Amends Chapter 24 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code to align requirements for testing for sexually transmitted infections with state statute. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 6-23-21.
body
Affected Council District(s) or citywide? Citywide
Executive Summary with Rationale and Impact:
Detailed description of the item and why we are doing it. This can be a separate attachment.
Denver Revised Municipal Code 24-131 gives DDPHE the ability to mandate testing for sexually transmitted infections in order to protect public health. While noble in aim, the ordinance’s language discriminates against sex workers. Black women are significantly over represented in arrests for sex work creating serious public health inequality for this population. State statute 25-4-412 removes this inequality while still maintaining DDPHE’s authority to mandate testing when necessary to protect public health. In an effort to protect the health of the partners of individuals who attempt to purchase sex better known as “johns,” these johns will still be required to be tested for sexually transmitted infections. This will continue to be included as part of the sentencing that comes with a guilty charge for solicitation.
Address/Location (if applicable):
Legal Description (if applicable):
Denver Revised Municipal Code (D.R.M.C.) Citation (if applicable):
Draft Bill Attached?