Summary#
This bill, called the Consent is Key Act, would encourage States to pass laws that allow people to sue if someone removes a sexual protection barrier without their consent. The Attorney General would give a State a larger share of a Violence Against Women Act formula grant (the Sexual Assault Services Program) if the State has such a law. The increase can be up to 20 percent of the State's average funding from its three most recent awards. The increase would be provided for a 4-year period and may be provided no more than four times. States must include information the Attorney General requires when applying for the grant increase. The bill defines "nonconsensual sexual protection barrier removal" and lists examples of sexual protection barriers (for example, condoms, internal condoms, dental dams). The bill authorizes $5,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030 to carry out the Act.
What it means for you#
- If your State passes a law that allows civil lawsuits for removal of a sexual protection barrier without consent, your State could receive more federal grant money for sexual assault services.
- If your State adopts such a law, people in that State may be able to bring civil actions for damages and equitable relief after a nonconsensual removal.
- If your State does not pass such a law, there would be no change from this bill to your State's grant formula.
Expenses#
- The bill would authorize $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the Act.
- The grant increase provided to an eligible State may be up to 20 percent of the average total funding the State received under the covered formula grant in its three most recent awards.
- The Attorney General would provide the increase for a 4-year period and may not provide the increase more than four times.
- No publicly available information on broader federal budget effects or projected uptake beyond the authorization amount.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.