[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the City of
Taunton as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 5-16-1989; amended 7-14-1992 (§ 2-15 of the 2010 Code)]
It is the policy of the City of Taunton to eliminate discrimination
based on the fact that a person has AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome), or any medical signs or symptoms related thereto, and to
provide education, referrals to community resources and organization
of support groups, and to provide education for municipal first responders.
In adopting this article, the City does not intend to proscribe any
activity the proscription of which would constitute an infringement
of the free exercise of any of the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution
of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A.
After consideration of testimony and documentary evidence, the Municipal
Council finds and declares that the medical condition described as
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and commonly known as AIDS, is
a deadly disease which has the potential to affect every segment of
the City's population. AIDS was first recognized in 1978. It is now
seen as the top priority of the United States Public Health Service.
B.
AIDS is the most severe manifestation of a spectrum of clinical diseases
caused by a virus, variously known as HIV, which attacks and cripples
the body's immune system by killing T-helper lymphocytes, thereby
leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and malignancies.
The spread of the virus has occurred only through the exchange of
body fluids, that is blood, blood products, vaginal secretions or
semen between individuals. No evidence exists to indicate that the
virus can be spread by casual person-to-person contact. Medical studies
of families in which one or more members have been infected with HIV
show no spread of the virus other than through sexual intercourse,
intercourse, injectable drug use or from mother-to-fetus in utero.
The public health danger presented by the virus and its subsequent
manifestations of AIDS is caused by lengthy asymptomatic period of
infection during which an apparently healthy individual may unknowingly
spread the disease to other persons through the exchange of blood,
blood products, vaginal secretions or semen. AIDS is concentrated
primarily in urban areas.
C.
AIDS by its nature has created a minority of our citizens who are
afflicted with a seriously disabling condition whose ultimate outcome
is fatal. Individuals infected with the virus represent a significant
segment of our population particularly victimized due to the nature
of their infection and to the present climate of misinformation, ignorance
and fear in the general population. Persons with AIDS are faced with
discrimination in employment, housing and access to business establishments,
City facilities, City services and other public accommodations. This
discrimination cuts across all racial, ethnic and economic lines.
Such discrimination poses a substantial threat to the health, safety
and welfare of the community.
A.
There shall be an AIDS Consortium established by the City to deal
with the various aspects of the AIDS virus and its effects on Taunton
citizens. The Consortium shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject
to the approval of the Council, and coterminus with the Mayor. The
Consortium shall consist of representatives from the agencies or organizations
of the following disciplines:
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Greater Taunton:
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Mayor
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Medical field
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Human services
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School/education
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Clergy
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Citizen
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Chamber of Commerce
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Housing Authority
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Hispanic community
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Minority community
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Media
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HIV-infected individual
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B.
The Consortium shall appoint co-chairpersons, a secretary and a treasurer
annually.
