Swedish government proposes removing HIV disclosure requirement

The Swedish government is considering removing the legal obligation for people with HIV to inform sexual partners of their status, following recommendations from an official inquiry.

Social Minister Jakob Forssmed (Christian Democrats) received the final report from the Commission on Strengthened Future Infection Protection on Thursday. The inquiry, led by Jan Albert, concludes that the disclosure requirement—introduced in 1985—should be abolished.

“There is broad support for this,” Forssmed told public broadcaster SVT Nyheter. “There is no reason to maintain a system that primarily perpetuates stigma.”

According to the inquiry, 97.5% of HIV cases in Sweden are currently under treatment and considered non-infectious. “A person is not contagious if they have effective treatment,” Albert stated.

The proposal aligns with medical advancements that have significantly reduced transmission risks for those receiving proper care.