Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Bill closing sexual consent loophole heads to Gov. Brown's desk
SB 14 author Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) at a health care event in February.
(
Adrian Florido/KPCC
)
The state Assembly has unanimously passed a bill that would close a loophole in California law allowing defendants in civil suits to argue that a minor consented to sex with an adult.
KPCC revealed the loophole in a story last fall about a civil suit in which an LAUSD lawyer argued that a 14-year-old girl could consent to sex with a 28-year-old teacher.
In a criminal case, an individual must be at least 18 to be able to give legal consent.
But L.A. Unified's lawyer cited court rulings that opened the door to arguing in a civil case that a minor can consent to sex with an adult.
Support for LAist comes from
Sen. Ricardo Lara authored the bill, SB 14. It passed the Senate in April, and now goes to Governor Brown.
"We are one step closer to protecting our children against abuse and inconsistencies in the legal system," Lara said in a statement. "Differences between civil and penal code when it comes to matters of consent are dangerous," he added, noting that SB 14 would prevent "an adult in a position of authority, like a teacher, who sexually abuses a child from claiming the child 'consented' as a defense."
Lara spokesman Jesse Melgar said conversations with Brown's office about the measure "have been constructive and positive."
Assemblywoman Nora Campos (D-San Jose) introduced a similar measure, AB 29, which the Assembly approved in April. In May AB 29 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has not yet acted on it.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist