Bill Would Require "Yes Means Yes" Policies on College Campuses

The focus of sexual assault policies at California universities and colleges would have to shift if a bill pending in the legislature becomes law. 

The “yes means yes” legislation would require any college or university that receives state funds for financial aid to modify its sexual assault polices. The policies would have to be “victim-centered.” They would also have to include an “affirmative consent standard”, which must be ongoing during sexual activity and can be revoked at any time.

Democratic Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson co-authored the bill. She says statistics show one in five college students is the victim of sexual assault.

“20 percent of students experience sexual assault during their time in college," she says. "College, where we believe our best and our brightest are going to get the education they need to be the leaders of our state and our nation and our future.”  

But critics of the bill say some provisions would be difficult to enforce and the measure could lead to false assault allegations. The bill is being considering by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.