Sex without consent is rape, but Maryland's law does not reflect this. Calls are needed now to help pass Senate Bill 758 to change Maryland's rape law by defining consent in statute and repealing language that focuses on whether a victim resisted.
Right now, when one person has sex with someone without consent, Maryland’s rape law requires proof of:
Lack of consent and
Force or Threat of Force
Force and Threat of Force is proven by focusing on the survivor/victim and whether they resist.
Senate Bill 758 changes the focus
to whether there is
clear and voluntary agreement
between the people involved.
Sponsored by Senator Ariana Kelly, SB 758 strikes “force or threat of force” from the statute, leaving “without the consent of the other” and provides a definition of “consent.” This is NOT affirmative consent.
The definition of consent includes:
SB 758 also addresses what is not consent:
SB 758 will be heard before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 27, 2024.
Call now and ask Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee members
support SB 758
and define consent!
Help raise awareness on social media, too - check out our social media toolkit with sample posts and graphics to share.
MARYLAND SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE
Leadership:
Will Smith, Jr., Chair (District 20, Montgomery)
Phone: 410-841-3634 | 301-858-3634
[email protected]
Jeff Waldstreicher, Vice Chair (District 18, Montgomery)
Phone: 410-841-3137 | 301-858-3137
[email protected]
Members:
Baltimore City
Jill Carter (District 41, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3697 | 301-858-3697
[email protected]
Baltimore County
Charles Sydnor, III (District 44, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3612 | 301-858-3612
[email protected]
Baltimore & Carroll Counties
Chris West (District 42, Baltimore & Carroll)
Phone: 410-841-3648 | 301-858-3648
[email protected]
Frederick County
William Folden (District 4, Frederick)
Phone: 410-841-3704 | 301-858-3704
[email protected]
Garrett, Allegany, & Washington Counties
Mike McKay (District 1, Garrett, Allegany, & Washington)
Phone: 410-841-3565 | 301-858-3565
[email protected]
Harford County
Mary-Dulaney James (District 34, Harford)
Phone: 410-841-3158 | 301-858-3158
[email protected]
Montgomery County
Ariana Kelly (District 16, Montgomery)
Phone: 410-841-3124 | 301-858-3124
[email protected]
Prince George's County
Nick Charles (District 25, Prince George's)
Phone: 410-841-3127 | 301-858-3127
[email protected]
Anthony Muse (District 26, Prince George's)
Phone: 410-841-3092 | 301-858-3092
[email protected]
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