Gov. Walz Signs Bill Repealing Marital Rape Exemption

MINNESOTA — This week, Gov. Tim Walz signed HF 15, repealing the pre-existing relationship defense in cases of criminal sexual assault. According to previous Minnesota law, a person could avoid a criminal sexual conduct conviction "if the actor and complainant were adults cohabiting in an ongoing voluntary sexual relationship at the time of the alleged offense, or if the complainant is the actor's legal spouse."

HF 15 prevents defendants from using a pre-existing relationship as a legal defense.

The repeal effort was championed by Minnesota resident Jenny Teeson. During her divorce, Teeson says she discovered footage showing that her ex-husband had drugged and sexually assaulted her while they were married.

Unknown to her, Minnesota’s criminal code contained a statute that allowed those charged with sexually assaulting their partner or spouse to use the pre-existing relationship as a legal defense.

Her husband ultimately pled guilty to invasion of privacy, a misdemeanor, according to a news release.

“I want to thank everyone who has made this moment possible, from the advocates who fought for justice to the legislators who unanimously passed this bill. But I especially want to recognize the grace, tenacity, and courage of Jenny Teeson, who took a horrendous experience and turned it into action to make Minnesota better,” Walz said in a statement.

“This exception should never have been part of our criminal statutes. It is reprehensible. And because of Jenny and other survivors, it is now repealed.”