Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day".

Bill Number

H.Res. 1039

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-03-28T08:06:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 1039) expresses support for the goals and ideals of "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day," observed annually on February 7. It aims to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on Black Americans, promote education, testing, prevention, and treatment, and address barriers like stigma, discrimination, and socioeconomic factors.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes a detailed preamble highlighting statistics on HIV/AIDS prevalence, disparities affecting Black Americans (e.g., higher diagnosis rates, barriers to care, and impacts on specific groups like Black women, youth, gay and bisexual men, and transgender individuals), progress in reducing new cases, and the role of initiatives like the Minority AIDS Initiative and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

The core resolution clause contains 12 supportive actions by the House of Representatives:

• Supports the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
• Encourages state and local governments, public health agencies, and media to recognize the day, publicize its importance, and promote HIV testing, especially among African Americans.
• Commends AIDS service organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, health care providers, and health departments for providing culturally competent prevention, treatment, and support services.
• Supports implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce new cases, improve access to care, address disparities, and coordinate responses to the epidemic.
• Requests the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prioritize Minority AIDS Initiative grants for minority-led HIV agencies, with preference for those led by African American/Black, Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander individuals.
• Supports efforts to reduce HIV transmission linked to incarceration in Black communities.
• Supports reducing HIV transmissions from intravenous drug use in Black communities.
• Supports comprehensive HIV prevention education to encourage early testing and connection to appropriate care.
• Encourages dissemination of information that people with HIV on treatment and undetectable viral loads (a low virus level in the blood making transmission impossible) cannot transmit the virus sexually.
• Supports funding for HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, research, and housing, including community efforts to combat stigma, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia.
• Encourages strategies to empower public health workers, educators, faith leaders, and others to reduce violence, discrimination, and stigma related to sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.
• Encourages federal, state, and local agencies to partner with networks of experts with lived HIV experience, upholding the "Denver Principles" (a 1983 guideline emphasizing involvement of people living with HIV in decisions affecting them).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no legal changes or enforceable requirements. It builds on existing frameworks like the Minority AIDS Initiative (established in 1998) and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (updated in 2021) by expressing congressional endorsement and requesting prioritization of grants, but it does not amend statutes or create new obligations.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: May influence the Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize funding for minority-led organizations, potentially enhancing resource allocation for HIV services. It encourages coordination among federal, state, and local public health agencies to promote awareness and testing.
• On citizens: Could increase HIV testing and education in Black communities, leading to earlier diagnosis, better health outcomes, and reduced transmission. It highlights benefits like preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP, a medication preventing HIV in uninfected people) and viral suppression, potentially empowering at-risk groups.
• On international relations: No direct impact, as the resolution focuses on domestic U.S. HIV/AIDS issues.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Black Americans: Primary focus, including subgroups like women, youth, gay and bisexual men, and transgender individuals, who face higher HIV risks and barriers to care.
• Community and health organizations: AIDS service organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, and health centers, which receive commendation and potential grant preferences.
• Government entities: House of Representatives, Department of Health and Human Services, state/local public health agencies, and media outlets encouraged to promote the day.
• Health care providers and leaders: Emphasizes the need for cultural competency and diversity in leadership to improve equity in HIV services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces existing public health policies without creating new laws; the grant prioritization request could guide administrative decisions under current funding authorities but lacks binding force.
• Constitutional: Aligns with equal protection principles by addressing health disparities, promoting equity without infringing on rights; supports free speech through encouragement of awareness campaigns.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan (though primarily Democratic sponsors) congressional commitment to health equity and racial justice in public health, potentially influencing future appropriations or strategies. It underscores the role of lived experiences in policy (via Denver Principles), fostering inclusive governance, but as a resolution, its influence is symbolic rather than legislative.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]

Cosponsors (31)

Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2026-02-04: Submitted in House
• 2026-02-04: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Supporting the goals and ideals of "National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day". — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (9 pages)