Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 3-301.1 - Consent(a) In this subtitle, "consent " means the clear and voluntary agreement by an individual to engage in vaginal intercourse, a sexual act, or sexual contact.(b) In this subtitle: (1) the existence of consent, lack of consent, or withdrawal of consent shall be determined based on a totality of the circumstances, including the words and conduct of the victim and the defendant;(2) consent may be withdrawn before or during vaginal intercourse, a sexual act, or sexual contact;(3) the lack of consent may be communicated through words or conduct;(4) a current or previous dating, social, or sexual relationship by itself does not constitute consent;(5) submission as a result of fear, threat, or coercion does not constitute consent if the individual alleged to have performed the act in violation of this subtitle knows or reasonably should know that the victim would submit as a result of fear, threat, or coercion; and(6) the manner of dress of an individual does not constitute consent.(c) This section may not be construed to require documentation of consent.Added by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 761,Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2024.