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Bills · 2023-2024 Regular Session

SB 698

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: creating a civil cause of action for acts of violence related to sex, gender, or sexuality.

Court — Procedure Discrimination

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Senate, not reached
  3. Passes Assembly, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. 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)

17 cosponsors

C. Anderson (D) , Clancy (D) , Conley (D) , Considine (D) , Drake (D) , Emerson (D) , Hong (D) , J. Anderson (D) , Jacobson (D) , Joers (D) , Madison (D) , Ohnstad (D) , Palmeri (D) , Ratcliff (D) , Shelton (D) , Sinicki (D) , Stubbs (D)

Full history

  1. 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

  2. Nov 21, 2023 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

  3. Apr 15, 2024 · Senate

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1