California bans secret condom removal during sex and enhances punishment for spousal rape

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two new laws on Thursday that provide more rights for victims of sexual assault and misconduct. Both bills — one tackling "stealthing" and the other spousal rape — were introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, who has been working on the laws for years. 

The first law, AB 453, makes it a civil sexual battery offense for someone to engage in stealthing, or removing a condom during sex without verbal consent from their partner. The state is the first in the country to prohibit the act, according to the Associated Press. 

Under the new law, which Garcia has been advocating for since 2017, victims of stealthing can sue the person who commits the violation for damages and relief.