California is the first state in USA to pass a law that aims to prevent sexual assaults

The bill is designed to define when 'yes means yes' and requires an 'affirmative, conscious, voluntary agreement' to engage in sexual activity  

It says someone who is drunk, drugged or asleep cannot grant consent

Consent can be non verbal, such as a nod of the head or moving in closer to the person 

It applies to all California post-secondary schools that receive state money

California has become the first state in the US to pass a law designed to define when 'yes means yes' to prevent sexual assaults.

The bill was signed by California Governor Jerry Brown yesterday and will adopt requirements for colleges to follow when investigating sexual assault reports.

The legislation says silence or lack of resistance do not constitute consent, and that someone who is drunk, drugged, unconscious or asleep cannot grant consent.

The bill, called SB967, applies to all California post-secondary schools, public and private, that receive state money for student financial aid. 

The California State University and University of California systems are backing the legislation after adopting similar consent standards this year.

University of California President Janet Napolitano recently announced the system will voluntarily establish an independent advocate to support sexual assault victims on every campus.