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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah law requires sexual assault victims to prove that they did not consent to the act even if they were unconscious.
But a bill the Legislature unanimously approved changes that.
HB74, sponsored by Rep. Angela Romero, D-Salt Lake City, removes that requirement, meaning sex with an unconscious person is automatically assumed to be without consent.
"It struck me as unbelievable," Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Wood Cross, said of the current law.
The Senate passed the bill 23-0 on Friday. It now goes to the governor.
The bill was the subject of controversial comments earlier this month.
Rep. Brian Greene, R-Pleasant Grove, apologized after asking in a committee hearing on the bill whether having sex with an unconscious spouse would be rape. His comments were criticized around the country on social media.
The House passed it 75-0 last week without debate.
— Dennis Romboy
