Gov. Jerry Brown signed the “Yes Means Yes” legislation, Sept. 28, which requires all California universities to adopt an affirmative consent standard.

The consent standard decrees that those engaging in sex must give a conscious, verbal assent. The measure, passed by state lawmakers in August, came in response to collective public attention on sexual assault on college campuses.

The bill, effective January 1, 2015, defines if and when consent was given when investigating sexual assaults on college campuses.

Chico State’s internal policy already requires an affirmative consent standard so the bill simply brings the law into line with what the university does, said Dylan Saake, Chico State’s Title IX coordinator.

“The bill won’t change Chico State’s response to sexual assaults, just our consent standards,” he said.

There will also be more partnerships with outside resources to assist victims of sexual assault, Saake said.

“The bill will renew the university’s relationship with the community,” he said.

Madison Holmes can be reached at [email protected] or @madisonholmes95 on Twitter.