Senate OKs Bill Barring Sexual Consent Of Minors As Defense
SACRAMENTO (AP) — The California Senate has advanced a bill that prevents defendants in civil cases from claiming the sexual consent of a minor as a defense.
It comes after the Los Angeles Unified School District successfully argued last year that a 14-year-old girl who had sex with a male teacher shared responsibility, despite her age.
The bill by Democratic Sen. Ricardo Lara was approved unanimously Thursday.
Lara, of Bell Gardens, told lawmakers that SB14 closes a loophole because defendants are not allowed to use similar arguments in criminal cases.
LAUSD removed the defense attorney after a civil jury cleared the district of wrongdoing.
The teacher in the case, Elkis Hermida, was sentenced in 2011 to three years in prison for lewd acts against a child.
The bill now moves to the Assembly.
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