Bills · 2023-2024 Regular Session
Relating to: creating a civil cause of action for acts of violence related to sex, gender, or sexuality.
Court — Procedure Discrimination
- Introduced, stopped here
- Passes Senate, not reached
- Passes Assembly, not reached
- Governor signs, not reached
- Law, not reached
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill creates a civil cause of action for a person who has been subjected to
sex discrimination, which the bill defines as 1) one or more acts of violence or physical
aggression committed, at least in part, on the basis of sex, gender, or sexuality; 2) a
physical intrusion or physical invasion of a sexual nature committed under coercive
conditions; or 3) a threat of either of these types of acts.
Under the bill, a person must commence a civil action against the actor within
seven years after the sex discrimination act occurs or, if the person bringing the
action is under the age of 18 at the time the sex discrimination act occurs, within
seven years after that person's 18th birthday. A person who brings a civil action for
sex discrimination and prevails may recover damages, such as damages for
emotional distress, punitive damages, and costs, including reasonable attorney fees
and other costs of the investigation and litigation that were reasonably incurred.
Sponsors
Introduced by: Agard (D) , Hesselbein (D) , L. Johnson (D) , Larson (D) , Pfaff (D) , Smith (D) , Taylor (D) , Wirch (D)
Full history
- Nov 21, 2023 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Agard, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Larson, Pfaff, Smith, Taylor and Wirch; cosponsored by Representatives Hong, C. Anderson, J. Anderson, Conley, Considine, Drake, Emerson, Jacobson, Joers, Madison, Ohnstad, Palmeri, Ratcliff, Shelton, Sinicki, Stubbs and Clancy
- Nov 21, 2023 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
- Apr 15, 2024 · Senate
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1