NC legislators pass bill to close sexual assault loopholes

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina legislators have approved a wide-ranging sexual abuse bill that closes two loopholes involving assault brought about by years-old court decisions.

Both the Senate and House on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that closes loopholes involving revocation of consent and sex with a person incapacitated by drugs or alcohol. The bill now goes to Gov. Roy Cooper for his signature.

Advocates said North Carolina is the only state in the country where a woman can’t revoke consent to have sex once sex has begun. They also said North Carolina is one of fewer than 10 states where sexual assault laws don’t recognize people who were incapacitated because of their own action as victims.

The bill fixes those two issues as well as making it illegal to drug someone’s drink.