NH Lawmaker Files ‘Yes Means Yes' Sex Assault Bill

A New Hampshire lawmaker wants the state's colleges and universities to adopt 'yes means yes' sexual-assault policies or risk losing state aid amid rising concerns over sex abuse on campuses nationwide.

Rep. Renny Cushing, a Hampton Democrat, has filed a draft of a bill modeling his idea off a law recently signed in California. Cushing wants to require schools to adopt sexual-assault policies that center on affirmative consent, meaning both parties must verbally agree to engage in sexual behavior. Colleges and universities that don't adopt such policies would lose their state aid or, for private colleges, property tax exemptions.

Sexual assault on college campuses is attracting national attention as students and the federal government demand stricter policies and stronger enforcement.