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House Defends Spouse Sexual Assault Victims

The state House passed a Republican leader's bill supporting married victims of sexual assault. Tristin Yeager reports from the state capitol.

The bill takes away marriage as a legal defense for the crimes of sexual assault and deviate sexual assault.

The bill passed by a wide margin, but there were Representatives who spoke in opposition to the bill.

Kansas City area Republican Fredrick Pouche:

Bill sponsor, Republican Representative Don Lograsso said the bill corrects an oversight of previous legislation. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Sponsor of the bill, Western Missouri Republican Representative Don Lograsso gave examples of what is currently allowed under state law.

The bill would no longer allow marriage as a defense for sexual assault or deviate sexual assault. The bill passed with a vote of 131-4 and the bill now goes to the Senate.

It was a top Repbulican House leader who introduced the legislation. Representative Don Lograsso says his bill would protect spouses from sexual crimes and prevent criminals from abusing the system.

Lograsso says the bill corrects an oversight in previous legislation that stripped marriage as a defense for violent sex crimes.