State Rep. Venton Jones’ HB 50 passes unanimously out of committee, bringing Texas ‘one step closer to smarter HIV prevention’
By Tammye Nash
April 8, 2025
State Rep. Venton Jones has announced that on Monday, April 7, the House Committee on Public Health unanimously passed House Bill 50, the bill the Texas Democrat authored that would ensure HIV testing is a standard part of routine STD screenings, sending the legislation to the full House.
“This is a major step forward for public health in Texas, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their continued support,” Jones said. “This simple, no-cost change will help ensure more Texans know their status, connect to lifesaving care sooner and ultimately reduce HIV transmission across our state.”
HB 50 passed the Texas House with overwhelming bipartisan support, during the last legislative session, earning over 100 votes before stalling in the Senate. This session, public health advocates and the medical community hope the bill’s overwhelming support and zero fiscal impact will finally help it pass the Senate and reach the governor’s desk for his signature, Jones said.
According to a press release from Jones’ office, many Texans assume that HIV testing is already automatically included in routine STD screenings, but that is not always the case. “Given the stigma that continues to persist around HIV and AIDS, patients may not always feel comfortable asking explicitly for the test,” the press releases notes.
Texas ranks first in the nation for new HIV diagnoses, with many individuals unaware that they are living with HIV. HB 50 addresses this gap by ensuring HIV testing is included in the screenings while preserving a patient’s right to decline the test if they choose.
“Testing saves lives, and normalizing it reduces the stigma that acts as another obstacle to tackling the HIV epidemic,” Jones said. “This bill aligns Texas law with common sense and responsible public health.”
HB 50 now moves to the Calendars Committee, and, once voted out of the Calendars Committee, it will head to the House floor for a vote.