Campbell expresses disappointment after study committee decided not to recommend consent definition

INDIANAPOLIS – State Representative Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) expressed disappointment after the Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code's recent decision not to recommend legislation that would clarify and expand the definition of consent. The study committee was tasked with exploring the efficacy and impact that defining consent in the Indiana Code would have on the state.

Campbell and other advocates expected to have the study committee's recommendation as a foundation for legislation in the upcoming 2021 legislative session. Consent was originally chosen as a study committee topic after the bipartisan House Bill 1160. The bill, which would have included “consent” for an offense involving a sex crime, died without a hearing this past legislative session.

“As it currently stands, sex without consent is not a crime in Indiana code,” Campbell said. “I am thankful for the survivors and advocates that have worked tirelessly to broaden the definition of consent in Indiana. We can and will do better for them this upcoming legislative session. Although I am disappointed that the Interim Study Committee on Corrections and Criminal Code failed to make a recommendation that would define consent, I remain dedicated to modernizing Indiana's code to better protect Hoosiers.”

Campbell and other Indiana House Democrats have been outspoken on the issue of consent and look forward to pursuing bipartisan legislation to protect Hoosiers this session.