Bill passed to prohibit minor consent defense

Senators passed a bill May 13 that provides stronger sexual assault protections for minors.

LB478, introduced by Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas, makes a victim’s consent inadmissible in any civil case alleging sexual penetration when a perpetrator is 19 or older and the victim is younger than 16.

It also makes inadmissible a victim’s consent in a civil case alleging sexual contact when a perpetrator is 19 or older and the victim is younger than 15.

The bill passed on a 46-0 vote.