Committee advances bill creating civil cause of action for nonconsensual condom removal ("stealthing")

Senate File 662, carried in committee by Senator Jen Gustafson, would create a civil remedy for victims of nonconsensual condom removal, commonly called "stealthing." The committee adopted an author's amendment and recommended the bill to pass and be referred to the Senate floor.

"Consent is not optional," Gustafson said in opening remarks, framing stealthing as a violation of bodily autonomy and a behavior that can have physical and emotional consequences. The bill would allow victims to pursue civil damages where stealthing occurs.

Three testifiers described personal and organizational experience with the behavior and urged passage. Emma Schwartz, founder of a national anti‑stealthing group and a survivor, testified about the immediate harm she felt on learning the behavior had occurred to her: "I will never forget the searing pang of sadness I felt upon learning that such a heinous act... had been awarded such a cheeky nickname, stealthing," she said. Jenna Munday, a University of Minnesota student leader, explained that many college students rely on condoms as primary contraception and urged lawmakers to provide legal recourse. Carrie Schwartz, who identified herself as Emma’s mother and an advocate, described forming a national legislative initiative and urged the committee to move the bill out of committee.

Senator Uma Verbatim (transcript name) moved that Senate File 662, as amended, be recommended to pass and be referred to the Senate floor. The motion carried on an oral aye/no vote in committee; the chair announced the bill is on its way to the floor.

Ending: The committee approved the A‑1 author's amendment and recommended passage; the bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.