Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the defense of justification for violent crimes
Sponsored by Sen. Liz Bennett (D), Sen. Zach Wahls (D), Sen. Janice Weiner (D)
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 19, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 19, 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 A person cannot claim they acted in self-defense if they commit a violent crime because of a nonviolent sexual advance. This rule also applies if someone commits a violent crime because they found out about or are worried about someone's sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex.1
Read the official explanation
This bill specifies that a defense of justification is not available to a person who is the subject of a nonviolent sexual advance who commits a violent crime upon another person as the result of that sexual advance or solely as the result of the person’s discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of the victim’s sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 19, 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
Family tree
Tried before
91st General Assembly
Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.
Tried before
This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.
- HF 2503 Relating to the defense of justification for violent crimes88th General Assembly · Passed House · similarPassed a chamber
Matched by wording or an identical title.