A new law that defines sexual consent took effect in Connecticut today. It says only “yes” means “yes” on college campuses.

The law mandates that Connecticut’s colleges and universities — both public and private — must use what’s called an “affirmative consent” standard when deciding whether a student has committed a sexual assault. The policy is known as yes means yes; the lack of the word “no” is not enough to indicate sex was consensual. State Representative Gregory Haddad co-sponsored the legislation.

“It really clarifies that when a student is incapacitated due to drugs or alcohol or intimidated because of fear or threat, that in those instances, consent can’t be granted,” Haddad says.

Haddad adds that the law requires colleges to train their students about the new standard. Massachusetts is considering a bill that would require institutions to clearly define consent on campus.