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 Virginia, it is a criminal offense to intentionally or recklessly transmit an STD to another person. Virginia law, specifically under § 18.2-67.4:1 of the Virginia Code, makes it a crime for a person infected with an STD to engage in sexual behavior without disclosing their infection to their partner prior to sexual contact. This law applies to infections such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and hepatitis B. The statute requires that the infected individual has knowledge of their infection and acts with the intent to transmit the disease or with a disregard of the risk of transmission. Violation of this law can result in criminal charges, which may vary from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the circumstances and the specific disease transmitted. Additionally, individuals who negligently transmit an STD without informing their partner may face civil liability and could be sued for monetary damages.