Sexual Consent Bill Fails in North Carolina Senate

A bill addressing sexual consent has died in the North Carolina Senate, but supporters remain hopeful.

The legislation would have made it illegal to continue to have sex with someone once they have told the other person to stop.

Democratic State Senator Jeff Jackson was one of 12 co-sponsors of Senate Bill 563. A spokesman for the senator said no clear reason was given for the bill's demise.

The News and Observer reports that despite the failure of the Senate measure, it's possible a similar provision could be added to another piece of legislation.

One bill that passed unanimously in the state House closes loopholes in other sexual assault laws, making it illegal to have sex with an incapacitated person, while also making it a crime to tamper with someone else's drink.

Without a sexual consent directive, North Carolina would remain the only state in the country where someone cannot be charged with rape for ignoring requests to stop a sexual act.