Sex without consent is rape, but Maryland’s law does not reflect this. Help pass House Bill 412 to change Maryland’s rape law by defining consent in statute and repealing language that focuses on whether a victim resisted. Join us in raising awareness through social media and contacting your local legislators asking them to vote favorably for HB 412.
Right now, when one person has sex with someone without consent, Maryland’s rape law requires proof of:
Lack of consent and
Force or Threat of Force
Force and Threat of Force is proven by focusing on the survivor/victim and whether they resist.
House Bill 412 changes the focus to whether there is clear and voluntary agreement between the people involved.
Sponsored by Delegate Emily Shetty, HB 412 strikes “force or threat of force” from the statute, leaving “without the consent of the other” and provides a definition of “consent.”
This definition of consent includes:
- Clear and voluntary agreement;
- The right to withdraw consent;
- Communication through words or conduct.
HB 412 also addresses what is not consent:
- What someone is wearing;
- Agreement as a result of fear, threat, or coercion;
- A prior relationship.
Check out the full bill here. Delegate Emily Shetty is joined by 44 co-sponsors who believe that consent includes voluntary agreement and Maryland’s rape law should too.
HB 412 will be heard before the House Judiciary Committee on February 21, 2023.
Ways to Support
Submit Written Testimony – Individuals and groups in Maryland can submit written testimony in support of the bill. Written testimony is typically a brief memo outlining who the organization is (i.e. including their name and mission statement) and why they are in favor of the bill. One page is enough to get the attention of committee members and help pass this bill. Written testimony for HB 412 must be submitted between 8 am – 3 pm on Friday, February 17th through the myMGA portal. It is only a few clicks to create an account and submit testimony. You can find a tutorial on submitting written testimony here and guidelines here.
Contact your Legislators – If your Maryland legislator serves on the House Judiciary Committee, you can contact them via phone or email to ask them to vote favorably on HB412. See below for the full list of committee members.
Raise Awareness on Social Media – Help raise awareness about the consent bill through social media. Check out our social media toolkit here with some sample graphics and language!
Attend the Bill Hearing – The in-person Bill Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21 at 1 pm in Annapolis. This is an excellent way to show support for the bill.
MARYLAND HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Leadership:
Luke H. Clippinger, Chair (District 46, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3488 | 301-858-3488
E-mail: luke.clippinger@house.state.md.us
David Moon (District 20, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3474 | 301-858-3474
E-mail: david.moon@house.state.md.us
Members:
J. Sandy Bartlett (District 32, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: (410) 841-3370 | (301) 858-3370
E-mail: sandy.bartlett@house.state.md.us
Rachel Munoz (District 31, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: 410-841-3510 | 301-858-3501
E-mail: rachel.munoz@house.state.md.us
Stuart Michael Schmidt, Jr. (District 33B, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: 410-841-3110 | 301-858-3110
E-mail: stuart.schmidt@house.state.md.us
Gary Simmons (District 12B, Anne Arundel County)
Phone: 410-841-3581 | 301-858-3581
E-mail: gary.simmons@house.state.md.us
Frank M. Conaway, Jr. (District 40, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3189 | 301-858-3189
E-mail: frank.conaway@house.state.md.us
Elizabeth Embry (District 43A, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3638 | 301-858-3683
E-mail: elizabeth.embry@house.state.md.us
Caylin Young (District 45, Baltimore City)
Phone: 410-841-3429 | 301-858-3429
E-mail: caylin.young@house.state.md.us
Jon S. Cardin (District 11B, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3054 | 301-858-3054
E-mail: jon.cardin@house.state.md.us
Robin L. Grammer, Jr. (District 6, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3298 | 301-858-3298
E-mail: robin.grammer@house.state.md.us
Cheryl E. Pasteur (District 11A, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3448 | 301-858-3448
E-mail: cheryl.pasteur@house.state.md.us
N. Scott Phillips (District 10, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3358 | 301-858-3358
E-mail: n.scott.phillips@house.state.md.us
Karen Simpson (District 3, Frederick)
Phone: 410-841-3436 | 301-858-3436
E-mail: karen.simpson@house.state.md.us
Christopher Bouchat (District 5, Frederick and Carroll Counties)
Phone: 410-841-3200 | 301-858-3200
E-mail: christopher.bouchat@house.state.md.us
Chris Tomlinson (District 5, Frederick and Carroll Counties)
Phone: 410-841-3359 | 301-858-3359
E-mail: chris.tomlinson@house.state.md.us
Lauren C. Arikan (District 7B, Harford County)
Phone: 410-841-3334 | 301-858-3334
E-mail: lauren.arikan@house.state.md.us
Charlotte Crutchfield (District 19, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3485 | 301-858-3485
E-mail: charlotte.crutchfield@house.state.md.us
Aaron M. Kaufman (District 18, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3314 | 301-858-3314
E-mail: aaron.kaufman@house.state.md.us
Kym Taylor (District 23, Prince George’s County)
Phone: 410-841-3331 | 301-858-3331
E-mail: kym.taylor@house.state.md.us
Karen Toles (District 25, Prince George’s County)
Phone: 410-841-3524 | 301-858-3524
E-mail: karen.toles@house.state.md.us
Nicole A. Williams (District 22, Prince George’s County)
Phone: 410-841-3058 | 301-858-3058
E-mail: nicole.williams@house.state.md.us
William Valentine (District 2A, Washington and Frederick Counties)
Phone: 410-841-3636 | 301-858-3636
E-mail: william.valentine@house.state.md.us