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 Wyoming, the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is addressed under Wyoming Statutes Annotated § 35-4-107. This statute makes it a misdemeanor for any person who knows that they are infected with a venereal disease to expose another person to infection. Venereal diseases, as defined by the statute, include syphilis, gonorrhea, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale, acute and chronic forms of herpes simplex, and chlamydia. While the statute does not specifically mention HIV/AIDS, Wyoming has other laws that address the exposure and transmission of HIV. For instance, under Wyoming Statutes Annotated § 6-2-313, it is a felony for a person to knowingly expose another to HIV without their consent. Additionally, individuals who negligently transmit an STD may face civil liability and be sued for damages. It is important for individuals to be aware of these laws and to take appropriate measures to prevent the transmission of STDs.