NY expands ‘Yes Means Yes’ policy to private colleges

July 7, 2015 Associated Press
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed into law a new, affirmative sexual consent policy for New York state’s private colleges and universities to combat campus sexual violence. AP Photo/Mike Groll
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New York state’s private colleges and universities have a new, affirmative sexual consent policy to combat campus sexual violence.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law Tuesday at New York University, at an event that included U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Charles Rangel.

The bill has a “yes means yes” definition of consent requiring a clear, affirmative agreement between partners. It creates a victim’s bill of rights and boosts training for law enforcement, faculty and students.

New York’s public universities adopted the policy last year.

Cuomo made the measure a priority in this year’s legislative session, even writing a supportive op-ed in Billboard Magazine with pop artist Lady Gaga.

Last year, California, Pelosi’s home state, adopted a “yes means yes” law for all schools receiving state financial aid money.

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