Call now to define consent!

Feb 17th, 2023

Ask House Judiciary Committee Members to support HB412

Sex without consent is rape, but Maryland's law does not reflect this. Calls are needed now to help pass House Bill 412 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.

House Bill 412 changes the focus to whether there is
clear and voluntary agreement
between the people involved.

Sponsored by Delegate Emily Shetty, HB 412 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:

  • Clear and voluntary agreement;
  • The right to withdraw consent;
  • Communication through words or conduct. 

HB 412 also addresses what is not consent:

  • What someone is wearing;
  • Agreement as a result of fear, threat, or coercion;
  • A prior relationship.

HB 412 will be heard before the House Judiciary Committee on February 21, 2023.

Call now and ask the House Judiciary Committee to
support HB 412
and define consent!

Help raise awareness on social media, too - check out our social media toolkit with sample posts and graphics to share.


MARYLAND HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Leadership:
Luke H. Clippinger, Chair (District 46, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3488 | 301-858-3488
E-mail: [email protected]

David Moon (District 20, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3474 | 301-858-3474
E-mail: [email protected]

Members:
Anne Arundel County
J. Sandy Bartlett (District 32, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: (410) 841-3370 | (301) 858-3370
[email protected]

Rachel Munoz (District 31, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: 410-841-3510 | 301-858-3501
[email protected]

Stuart Michael Schmidt, Jr. (District 33B, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: 410-841-3110 | 301-858-3110
[email protected]

Gary Simmons (District 12B, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: 410-841-3581 | 301-858-3581
[email protected]

Baltimore City
Frank M. Conaway, Jr. (District 40, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3189 | 301-858-3189
[email protected]

Elizabeth Embry (District 43A, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3638 | 301-858-3683
[email protected]

Caylin Young (District 45, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3429 | 301-858-3429
[email protected]

Baltimore County
Jon S. Cardin (District 11B, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3054 | 301-858-3054
[email protected]

Robin L. Grammer, Jr. (District 6, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3298 | 301-858-3298
[email protected]

Cheryl E. Pasteur (District 11A, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3448 | 301-858-3448
[email protected]

N. Scott Phillips (District 10, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3358 | 301-858-3358
[email protected]

Frederick County
Karen Simpson (District 3, Frederick)
Phone: 410-841-3436 | 301-858-3436
[email protected]

Frederick & Carroll Counties
Christopher Bouchat (District 5, Frederick and Carroll Counties)
Phone: 410-841-3200 | 301-858-3200
[email protected]

Chris Tomlinson (District 5, Frederick and Carroll Counties)
Phone: 410-841-3359 | 301-858-3359
[email protected]

Frederick & Washington Counties
William Valentine (District 2A, Washington and Frederick Counties)
Phone: 410-841-3636 | 301-858-3636
[email protected]

Harford County
Lauren C. Arikan (District 7B, Harford County)
Phone: 410-841-3334 | 301-858-3334
[email protected]

Montgomery County
Charlotte Crutchfield (District 19, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3485 | 301-858-3485
[email protected]

Aaron M. Kaufman (District 18, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3314 | 301-858-3314
[email protected]

Prince George's County
Kym Taylor (District 23, Prince George's County)
Phone: 410-841-3331 | 301-858-3331
[email protected]

Karen Toles (District 25, Prince George's County)
Phone: 410-841-3524 | 301-858-3524
[email protected]

Nicole A. Williams (District 22, Prince George's County)
Phone: 410-841-3058 | 301-858-3058
[email protected]


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