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Report

No Risk, Severe Consequence: Hepatitis C Criminalization in Indiana Involves Only Non-Transmissible Exposures

September 2026

Indiana is one of nine states with laws criminalizing viral hepatitis exposure. This study examines prosecutions under the state’s Battery by Bodily Fluid and Waste law of people living with hepatitis C between 2011 and 2025. It appeared in AIDS and Behavior in September 2026.

AUTHORS

Carrie Foote
Professor, Indiana University Indianapolis
Phoenix Schlebecker
MA Candidate, Indiana University Indianapolis
Jordan Grasso
Research Data Analyst, Former
Courtney Harris
MA Candidate, Indiana University Indianapolis
Nathan Cisneros
HIV Criminalization Project Director

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Highlights

None of the incidents alleged conduct that posed a plausible risk of hepatitis C transmission.

The majority of defendents were white and male.

Enforcement peaked in 2018-2019 but continued in 2025.

Data Points

0

incidents alleged conduct that risks HCV transmission

73%

involved saliva exposure

95%

of defendants were white

62%

of defendants were male

13

criminal HCV cases were filed per year in 2018 and 2019

5 to 7

cases were filed yearly between 2022 and 2025

Read the open-access journal article

No Risk, Severe Consequence: Hepatitis C Criminalization in Indiana Involves Only Non-Transmissible Exposures