To encourage States to voluntarily pass laws to authorize civil damages and equitable relief for nonconsensual sexual protection barrier removal, and for other purposes.
The Consent is Key Act creates financial incentives for states to pass laws allowing people to sue for civil damages when someone removes sexual protection barriers, such as condoms or dental dams, without consent during sexual activity. States that enact such laws can receive up to 20 percent more in federal Sexual Assault Services Program grants for four-year periods, with a maximum of four such increases per state. The bill authorizes $5 million annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to fund these grant increases. This legislation targets the practice known as "stealthing," which is nonconsensual removal of protection barriers that exposes partners to sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy without their knowledge or agreement. The bill affects state legislatures and residents in states that choose to pass protective laws, while providing additional federal resources to support sexual assault prevention and victim services.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.