Bill Overview
Title: Right to Private Conduct Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides statutory authority for the right of adults to engage in private, consensual sexual conduct with other adults.
Sponsors: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Target Audience
Population: Adults engaging in consensual private conduct
Estimated Size: 259000000
- This bill recognizes and legally supports the right of adults to engage in consensual private conduct.
- The term 'adults' generally refers to individuals who are 18 years old and above.
- The global adult population is substantial, consisting of billions of individuals across various countries.
- Legal and societal norms vary worldwide about private conduct, but this bill directly impacts where legal restrictions existed or were ambiguous.
- The United Nations estimates the world population to include approximately 5 billion adults.
Reasoning
- The policy's primary aim is to legally recognize and protect the private actions of adults, which could have varying social and psychological impacts depending on individuals' current living conditions and social environments.
- The policy is likely to have a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community and others living in areas where such private conducts are socially stigmatized or legally ambiguous.
- While the policy aims to change legal frameworks, it primarily affects societal norms slowly, and thus its tangible impact might be gradual over the years.
- Most adults in the U.S. might already be living in environments where their conduct is not scrutinized; hence, the policy's immediate impact might be low, but it has potential to provide peace of mind and legal assurance.
- Large variations in personal and community responses to legal changes would mean the policy might matter more in areas with historically conservative or restrictive views.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven't felt particularly restricted in my life choices here in San Francisco.
- It's reassuring to know that this is now legally protected, but it doesn't change my everyday life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Nurse (Salt Lake City, UT)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living under some conservative norms made me always wary.
- This policy is a small, but encouraging step toward wider acceptance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a relief to see legal recognition, however, the social aspect here doesn't change overnight.
- I've lived long enough to see laws evolve; it's good, but it will take time for real societal acceptance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Freelance Artist (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While Austin is great, Texas can be unpredictable with laws.
- This act potentially provides the community a sense of legal security and boosts morale.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Teacher (Rural Alabama)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's risky here to express yourself, so I'm thrilled with this policy.
- It gives me hope for change, even if my immediate circumstances don't shift. It helps to know there's a national stance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Marketing Manager (New York, NY)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't impact me much. My community already respects these rights.
- However, it's good to see an official stance and could help those less fortunate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Lawyer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a lawyer, I believe legal frameworks are crucial for maintaining rights.
- This policy strengthens our stance against those seeking to roll back freedoms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Bartender (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's challenging dealing with ignorance. This can help gradually shift perceptions.
- Legal protection reassures me for future confrontations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Tech Support Specialist (Portland, OR)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Local laws already protect my rights, yet nationwide backing is crucial.
- Not much change locally, but I'm glad others might benefit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Construction Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 19/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a positive change although I don't feel constrained in my personal life.
- Nice to know there's legal protection, even if it doesn't change my day-to-day.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $100000, High: $1000000)
Year 3: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $500000)
Year 5: $50000 (Low: $20000, High: $200000)
Year 10: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $50000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The lack of a direct funding requirement in the bill minimizes its impact on the federal budget.
- Changes in public or legal interpretations of private conduct laws could result in unforeseen consequences that merit watchfulness.
- Federal administrative bodies will need to ensure that enforcement agencies are aware of the new statutory authority, though existing resources should suffice.