Sponsors (9)
The bill strengthens legal protections and service coverage for survivors of nonconsensual removal of sexual protection barriers and uses federal grant incentives and limited, predictable funding increases to push states to adopt civil remedies — at the cost of redirecting federal dollars, creating administrative and legal burdens for states and providers, and introducing definitional and oversight uncertainties.
Survivors of sexual assault (including women and other victims) gain clearer legal protection when condoms or other barriers are removed without consent, which can improve access to justice and support services.
States that enact civil remedies for nonconsensual removal of sexual protection barriers are incentivized with increased federal grant funding, encouraging states to adopt laws that can help victims obtain civil remedies.
The bill provides predictable, capped (up to ~20% average) and time-limited grant increases plus dedicated federal implementation funding ($5 million/year for 2026–2030), which improves short-term budgeting and program continuity for state agencies and federal implementers.
Federal grant funds are redirected toward states that adopt the specified civil-liability laws, which can reduce funding available for other federal priorities or for states that do not pass those laws.
States, localities, and service providers may face higher administrative and litigation costs to implement or defend new civil-liability regimes and to compile Attorney General–required documentation, increasing budgetary and operational burdens.
The cap on average increases (~20%) and the limit on the number of increases (four) could leave states with rising needs underfunded, shifting costs to state or local budgets and reducing flexibility to respond to changing local conditions.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Allows up to a 20% boost in Sexual Assault Services Program grants for states that create civil causes of action for nonconsensual removal of sexual-protection barriers.
Official title: To encourage States to voluntarily pass laws to authorize civil damages and equitable relief for nonconsensual sexual protection barrier removal, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 29, 2025 by Norma Judith Torres · Last progress April 29, 2025
Provides new federal incentives for states to adopt laws that create a civil cause of action against people who remove condoms, dental dams, or other sexual-protection barriers without consent. States that pass such laws can receive up to a 20% increase in their funding under the Sexual Assault Services Program for a four-year period (available up to four times per state). The bill authorizes $5 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030 to support these increases and lets the Attorney General set application requirements for states seeking the boost.