Jimmy Gomez Urges Governor to Sign Bill Closing Loophole for Rape Victims

Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez, Principal co-author of Assembly Bill 65, joined Assembly Members from both sides of the aisle Monday to call on Governor Brown to sign a bill aimed at protecting rape victims into law. 

“During my first month in office I pledged to close a loophole in state law that failed to protect victims of rape, and hold rapists accountable” said Assemblymember Gomez. “Assembly Bill 65 will close a loophole in law that was established in 1872, and ensure justice for all victims of rape. I call on Governor Brown to sign this bill into law.”

Gomez began working with the bill’s authors, Assemblymembers Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo) and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), after the State Court of Appeals overturned a previous rape conviction earlier this year. The court ruled that a person who impersonates someone is guilty of rape only if the victim was married and the person pretended to be the victim’s spouse.  

Assembly Bill 65 would protect victims of rape by clarifying that a perpetrator who induces a victim into sexual activity by impersonating someone other than the accused is guilty of felony rape. 

The bill is sponsored by Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey, the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the California Police Chiefs Association and the California District Attorneys Association.