Summer Willis Act boosts prosecutors’ power to charge offenders

Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault. Please return to the homepage if you are not comfortable with the topic. If you are in distress and need to speak with someone, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

AUSTIN (KFDX/KJTL) — House Bill 3073, also known as the Summer Willis Act, has become law in Texas.

The law has changed the language of the state’s sexual assault statute, now including offenses when the victim is intoxicated voluntarily.

Many people across the state are celebrating the bill being passed. One such organization is First Steps here in Wichita Falls. The organization says they stand with Summer and all survivors of sexual assault as this legislation paves the way for a clear definition of consent in a Facebook post made on June 30.

Starting September 1, Texas will recognize that individuals who are impaired can not consent, even if they are impaired voluntarily, define consent as a mutual agreement and empower the prosecutors presiding over these cases to hold the offender accountable.

For more information on the Summer Willis Act, visit the Bill Track site with the entire history of the bill.