Eliminate spousal exceptions for certain sex offenses
HB 161 removes the legal protection that previously prevented spouses from being charged with or prosecuted for specific sexual offenses against each other. This change directly affects married couples by allowing a spouse to testify against their partner in court for crimes such as rape, sexual battery, and sexual imposition. The bill eliminates the defense that a crime did not occur simply because the victim and offender were married or living together at the time. Additionally, the legislation permits a person to give testimony against their spouse in any prosecution involving these listed offenses.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2023
Committee Review
Dec 2023
House Passage
Nov 2023
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
Signed into Law
Aug 2024
Introduced Apr 26, 2023
Signed Aug 9, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Apr 24, 2024 · House Nov 29, 2023
How they voted
32–0
Passed
Total votes 32
Apr 24, 2024
D
Democratic7
100% Yea
R
Republican25
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Apr 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Dec 6, 2023
Committee
Refer to Committee
upper
Nov 29, 2023
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 2, 2023
Committee
Refer to Committee
lower
Apr 26, 2023
Introduced
Introduced
lower
2 primary · 72 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Brett Hillyer
RRepublican
P
Jessica Miranda
DDemocratic
Co
Adam Bird
RRepublican
Co
Adam Mathews
RRepublican
Co
Adam Miller
DDemocratic
Co
Al Cutrona
RRepublican
Co
Al Landis
RRepublican
Co
Allison Russo
DDemocratic
Co
Andrew Brenner
RRepublican
Co
Anita Somani
DDemocratic
Co
Bernie Willis
RRepublican
Co
Beth Liston
DDemocratic
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