A new bill looks to change a state law involving rape by instrumentation.
Right now, if a person rapes another by instrumentation, but does not leave severe bodily harm that can be proven in court, it's second-degree. This means a lesser punishment for the defendant.
The bill would remove the “resulting in bodily harm” requirement for a rape by instrumentation case. This would allow a defendant to be charged in the first-degree.
Tulsa County ADA Kenneth Elmore says it's time to change the law.
"There shouldn't be a degree of injury to define rape," Elmore said.
The bill passed committee this week and will be heard on the house floor next Monday afternoon.