A bill doing so, SB967, passed the Assembly on a 52-16 vote Monday as states and universities across the U.S. are under pressure to change how they handle rape allegations. It now heads back to the Senate for what is expected to be a final vote on amendments.
The bill by state Sen. Kevin De Leon, D-Los Angeles, changes the definition of consent for campuses investigating sexual assault cases by requiring “an affirmative, unambiguous and conscious decision” by each party to engage in sexual activity. That marks a shift from the popular sexual-assault prevention refrain, “no means no.”
“Sexual assaults are too common on our campuses, and the need for change is now,” said Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles.
Advocates for victims of sexual assault supported the change as one that will provide consistency across campuses and challenge the notion that victims must have resisted assault in order to have valid complaints.
Some critics say the legislation is overreaching and sends universities into murky, unfamiliar legal waters.
Silence, lack of resistance and an existing sexual relationship are not considered consent under the legislation. Students also are not able to grant consent if they are unconscious or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol to the point where they “could not understand the fact, nature, or extent of the sexual activity,” according to the legislation.
