In many states it is a criminal offense to intentionally or recklessly transmit a sexually transmitted disease (STD or venereal disease) to another person. Examples of such diseases include HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), genital warts, and hepatitis B.

Laws vary from state to state, and in some states these laws include other infectious or communicable diseases. In some states there is a specific criminal offense for transmission of sexually transmitted or communicable diseases, and in other states criminal prosecutors charge the defendant with a more general crime like assault.

Laws regarding criminal liability for the intentional or reckless transmission of sexual or other infectious or communicable diseases are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code, or the health and safety code.

A person who negligently transmits a sexually transmitted disease to another person through sexual contact—without informing the other person of the offender’s infection before the sexual contact—may also be subject to civil liability for money damages in a lawsuit.

In South Carolina, it is a criminal offense to knowingly expose another person to a sexually transmitted disease (STD). South Carolina law, specifically under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-29-60, makes it illegal for a person who knows they are infected with an STD to willfully, knowingly, or recklessly expose another person to the disease. This applies to diseases such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others. The law requires infected individuals to inform their partners of their condition before engaging in sexual activity. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges, which may include charges such as assault or a specific offense related to the transmission of STDs. Additionally, individuals who negligently transmit an STD without informing their partners may face civil lawsuits and be required to pay monetary damages for the harm caused.