Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to sexual abuse by fraud, concealment, or artifice regarding marital status, and providing penalties
Sponsored by Sen. Liz Bennett (D)
Topics:Crime & corrections
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 5, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 10, 2026
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary People who lie about being married to trick someone into having sex could be charged with third-degree sexual abuse. This law applies when a person uses deception about their marital status to get consent that the other person wouldn't have given otherwise. If convicted, the person faces prison time, fines, and must register as a sex offender.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to sexual abuse by fraud, concealment, or artifice regarding marital status. The bill provides that sexual abuse includes a person obtaining the consent of another person by the use of fraud, concealment, or artifice, who intentionally deceives the other person regarding the person’s marital status such that a reasonable person would not have consented but for the deception. The bill provides that a person commits sexual abuse in the third degree when the person obtains the other person’s consent through the use of fraud, concealment, or artifice regarding the person’s marital status, and the person performing the act knows or reasonably should have known that the other person would not have consented but for the deception. Sexual abuse in the third degree is a class “C” felony. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660. A person committing a violation of the bill is required to register as a tier III sex offender.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 10, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part