Sponsors (9)
The bill strengthens protections and legal remedies for survivors and provides predictable federal funding for related programs, but it conditions grant increases on State law changes and reporting while adding costs, administrative burdens, and caps that may limit flexibility and create unequal effects across States.
Survivors of sexual assault (especially women) gain clearer legal protections and remedies because the bill defines and criminalizes nonconsensual removal of sexual protection barriers and incentivizes States to authorize civil actions for victims.
State governments receive scheduled, predictable increases in covered formula grant funding (multi-year increases and capped boosts up to a 20% three-award average), helping states plan and sustain grant-funded services.
Federal victim-service programs established by the Act get dedicated, predictable support because the bill provides $5 million per year for FY2026–2030 to fund ongoing operations.
State governments and their residents face federal pressure because the bill conditions increased grant funding on States enacting specific civil remedies or providing certain legal disclosures, raising concerns about federal encroachment on State lawmaking and unequal treatment across States.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending (up to about $25 million over five years) and potential deficit impact because scheduled grant increases and program funding raise federal outlays.
States that decline to change laws or that fail to provide required information may receive comparatively less funding, creating inequities and effectively penalizing residents for State policy choices.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes up to a 20% increase in Sexual Assault Services Program formula grants for states with laws allowing civil claims for nonconsensual removal of sexual protection barriers; $5M/year authorized for FY2026–2030.
Introduced April 29, 2025 by Norma Judith Torres · Last progress April 29, 2025
Requires the Attorney General to raise amounts paid to states under the Sexual Assault Services Program when a state has a law allowing civil lawsuits for removal of sexual protection barriers (like condoms or dental dams) without consent. The increase can be up to 20% of the state’s recent average award, may be provided up to four times over a four-year window, and the bill authorizes $5 million per year for FY2026–2030 to carry out the program. States seeking the increase must provide information the Attorney General requests about their qualifying laws; definitions in the bill specify what counts as a covered grant, what constitutes nonconsensual removal of sexual protection barriers, and what items count as sexual protection barriers.