Some people worry that Nebraska's gay community is unfairly targeted by a bill meant to punish those who knowingly spread a deadly disease like AIDS.

The Legislature's Judiciary Committee heard public testimony Friday afternoon on a measure (LB625) that would make it illegal to intentionally or knowingly spread a deadly disease through sex. It would also be illegal to sell or donate organs, blood, semen and other bodily fluids, or share hypodermic needles with the same purpose.

"I'm concerned that this will be a witch hunt against the gay community of Nebraska," Lucas Peterson of Lincoln said after the hearing. "It would give a prosecutor a right to go after someone who is perceived to have a life-threatening disease."

Peterson said he's gay and doesn't have HIV or AIDS.

He told the panel that if a prosecutor had a vendetta against a group of people, the proposed law could be misused.

Sen. Pete Pirsch of Omaha, who introduced the bill, wants a harsh penalty for violating the proposed law.

Violators would be guilty of a Class 1B felony, which carries a minimum prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Bob Creager, president of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, said the term communicable disease must be defined in the bill, and there should be some discussion of intent.

"What if the person doesn't get the communicable disease?" Creager asked.

Ejay Jack of Omaha questioned where the bill draws the line. For instance, giving someone the flu could fall under the bill, because influenza can be life threatening.

Jack, who is transgender and does not have HIV or AIDS, said the bill is poorly written. He asked senators to instead focus on educating people on how to prevent the spread of HIV.