Attorney General Testifies to Change 'Consent'

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox testified on March 24 at the Montana State Capital Building in Helena to support Senate Bill 29. This bill, sponsored by Senator Diane Sands, D-Missoula, would change the definition of consent in Montana for the purpose of prosecuting sexual assault crimes.

If passed, SB 29 would change the definition to “Consent means words or overt actions indicting a freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.” SB 29 passed unanimously out of the Senate on Jan. 19, and on March 31 the bill was revised by the House before a vote could take place. As of press time, this vote has not been scheduled.

Attorney General Fox, along with his Prosecution Services Bureau within the Montana Department of Justice, worked with the legislative Law and Justice Interim Committee following the 2015 legislative. Addressing sexual assault has been a top priority for Attorney General Fox since taking office. SB 29 is recognized by prosecutors, victim advocates, victims and legislators as critical to eliminating barriers that impede prosecuting sexual assault crimes in Montana.

If you would like to contact Montana’s House of Representatives in support of this bill, you may leave a message for a legislator by calling the Legislative Information Desk at 406-444-4800 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.