4-11-2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A proposal to significantly extend time limits for prosecuting sexual assault cleared the state Legislature Wednesday.
The House and Senate approved bill would entirely remove the statute of limitation for a group of the most serious sex crimes against children, including first through third-degree rape.
The proposal would also alter consent rules by removing active resistance from the definition of third-degree rape: instead, the definition of the crime is modified to mean sex without consent — given by words or action — from the victim.
Limits for rape involving older victims would be extended to as much as twenty years.
It now heads to Governor Inslee for consideration.