Washington is one a handful of states where being married to your alleged victim is an absolute defense against some forms of rape and sexual assault.

A bill that received a hearing Tuesday in the House would change that. House Bill 1108 would remove the spousal exemption from both rape in the third degree--in which no physical force is used--and from taking indecent liberties.

Washington removed the marital exemption for first- and second-degree rape in 1983. Prosecutors and domestic violence groups testified in favor of the change.

Bill sponsor Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, said he is "pretty confident" that it would pass out of the Legislature and make it to Governor Jay Inslee's desk.