State Legislation
Every time another state passes anti-sexual violence legislation, the RAINN community celebrates! See how these laws promote prevention, healing, and justice.
Our bipartisan partnerships with U.S. lawmakers help create, advance, and pass legislation that strengthens protections for survivors and holds offenders accountable.
Throughout the U.S., RAINN’s attorneys, government affairs professionals, and advocates work year-round to:
- Draft policy recommendations
- Develop legislation
- Activate grassroots initiatives
- Facilitate testimony from survivors and experts
- Distribute letters of support for priority bills
- Directly lobby the nation’s state lawmakers
2025 State Legislative Wins (So Far!)
These RAINN-endorsed bills have successfully advanced through their state legislatures to become law in 2025:
Mississippi Ensured Immunity for Reporting Sexual Assault (2025)
In 2025, Mississippi passed HB 861, granting immunity to survivors who report sexual violence. The law now ensures survivors will not face legal repercussions for simple possession or use of alcohol/drugs related to the assault.
- Mississippi removed significant barriers to reporting sexual assaults, encouraging survivors to come forward and increasing the likelihood of prosecution for offenders and support for survivors.
- Mississippi law now promotes public safety by reducing underreporting linked to fear of legal consequences.
Virginia Ended Forced Co-Parenting With Rapists (2025)
In 2025, Virginia passed HB 1727, protecting individuals who conceive a child through sexual assault from having to co-parent with the rapist. By preventing the rapist from gaining parental rights, the new law shields survivors and children from further trauma.
“For seven years, I’ve battled to shield my daughter and myself from my rapist. Despite evidence, the lack of a conviction forces me to face him daily.”
— Jen, Virginia mother and survivor, RAINN Speakers Bureau Alumn
- Virginia law now protects survivors from co-parenting obligations with their attackers.
- Virginia now bases the decision of parental access for rapists on the “clear and convincing” standard—the highest standard in civil procedures in Virginia—rather than criminal convictions.
Virginia Established Immunity from Prosecution for Reporting Sexual Violence (2025)
In 2025, Virginia passed HB 2117, providing immunity from charges for simple possession or use of alcohol/drugs for survivors reporting sexual violence. Under this law, more survivors are encouraged to come forward.
“Don’t let alcohol be the reason someone doesn’t report a rape.”
— RAINN Director of State Legislative Affairs, Mollie Montague
- Virginia removed the sexual violence reporting barriers linked to survivors’ fear of prosecution for substance use.
- Virginia enhanced public safety and accountability by increasing the reporting rates of survivors.
Wisconsin Ensured Informed Consent for Pelvic Exams (2025)
In 2025, Wisconsin passed SB 14, requiring hospitals to obtain explicit written informed consent before conducting pelvic examinations on unconscious patients for educational purposes.
- Wisconsin established clear protections ensuring that patients’ bodily autonomy and dignity are respected, preventing unauthorized medical examinations.
- The law ensures hospitals adopt stringent policies and procedures, fostering transparency and enhancing patient rights and protections.
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In 2024, 12 states signed 17 RAINN-backed bills into law, marking significant strides toward justice.
10,100
In 2024, RAINN reviewed 10,100 state bills, earmarking 1,314 as priority issues for ongoing tracking.
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In 2024, RAINN reached 32 states with advocacy, bill development, testimony, grassroots action, and more.
These RAINN-endorsed bills successfully advanced through their state legislatures to become law in 2024:
Massachusetts Addressed Medical Fraud and Abuse (2024)
In 2024, Massachusetts passed H 4350, enhancing protections against medical fraud and abuse. The law now provides clearer pathways for survivors to seek justice and hold abusers accountable.
- Massachusetts strengthened oversight and penalties related to sexual misconduct in healthcare settings.
- Massachusetts law now provides stronger legal recourse for survivors who have been victimized by medical professionals.
Ohio Ended the Spousal Exception to Sexual Assault (2024)
In 2024, Ohio passed HB 161, removing the outdated and harmful spousal exception to sexual assault. The law now ensures married survivors are afforded the same legal protections as unmarried survivors.
“It’s time for Ohio to end this medieval-era law that treats women as property and doesn’t allow them to protect themselves.”
–RAINN VP of Public Policy, Stefan Turkheimer
- Ohio now fully recognizes all forms of sexual violence within marriage, including drug-induced sexual assault.
- Ohio law now empowers survivors to obtain protection orders based on sexual assault within marriage.
Ohio Enabled Accountability for Sexually Abusive Medical Professionals and Required Informed Consent for Pelvic Exams (2024)
In 2024, Ohio passed SB 109, protecting patients’ safety and the trust that is fundamental to the physician-patient relationship.
- Ohio empowered authorities to cut off cycles of abuse in the medical field, improving transparency by ensuring disclosures of suspended licenses and probation.
- Ohio law now protects patients from unwanted practice pelvic exams by requiring prior permission.
Virginia Provided Early Lease Termination for Sexual Violence Survivors (2024)
In 2024, Virginia passed HB 764, providing survivors of sexual violence the right to terminate rental agreements early without financial penalty, significantly aiding their ability to escape unsafe living environments.
“We certainly don’t want victims to relive the violence if they’re reminded of it in their own home. Victims have already suffered enough.”
— Rep. Maria Syms, Arizona
- Virginia enabled survivors to terminate leases promptly following incidents of sexual violence, provided they secure protective orders or convictions against perpetrators.
- Virginia reduced the financial burdens and barriers that often prevent survivors from escaping dangerous situations.
Wisconsin Increased Funding for Victim and Child Advocacy Services (2024)
In 2024, Wisconsin passed AB 940, increasing funding for services that support survivors of sexual violence, domestic abuse, and child advocacy centers.
- Wisconsin allocated increased resources for training, technical assistance, and direct support to survivors.
- Wisconsin strengthened multidisciplinary approaches to handling suspected child maltreatment.
More 2024 Wins
- Florida passed SB 764, requiring the retention of certain sexual offense evidence.
- Georgia passed SB 335, adding adoptive parents to the state’s incest code.
- Georgia passed HB 993, addressing image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) and grooming.
- Hawaii passed SB 2439, extending the civil statutes of limitations for adult survivors.
- Hawaii passed SB 2601, extending the civil statutes of limitations for reporting child sexual abuse.
- Idaho passed H 526, requiring physicians to obtain a patient’s informed consent for pelvic exams.
- Michigan passed HB 4485, expanding criminal statutes of limitations for adult survivors.
- Massachusetts passed H 4241, addressing “revenge porn”—a form of tech-enabled sexual abuse.
- Maryland passed HB 0496, updating the state’s definition of consent.
- Washington passed SB 5937, outlining trauma-informed responses in the state’s legal system.
- West Virginia passed SB 190, removing the state’s spousal rape loophole.
Get Involved
RAINN’s state legislative victories reflect significant progress in the ongoing fight to end sexual violence, ensure justice, and provide essential support to survivors.
You can join RAINN’s efforts to advocate for better laws nationwide.
Together, we’ll advance survivor-centered legislation that enforces accountability and delivers justice.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español.
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