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Bill

S 2695

Relates to admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 5 co-sponsors

S 2695 - Relates to Admissibility of Evidence of a Victim's Sexual Conduct OverviewBill Number: S 2695 Title: Relates to admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, se

COMMITTED TO RULES
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Bill Summary · S 2695

S 2695 - Relates to Admissibility of Evidence of a Victim's Sexual Conduct

Overview

Bill Number: S 2695
Title: Relates to admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress
Status: COMMITTED TO RULES
Introduced: September 03, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The purpose of this bill is to reform the rules around the admissibility of evidence related to a victim's sexual history, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress in criminal proceedings. The intent is to protect victims from having irrelevant or prejudicial information about their private lives introduced in court, which can discourage reporting of sexual crimes and revictimize survivors.

Key Provisions

  • Prohibits the introduction of evidence of a victim's past sexual conduct or sexual predisposition, unless it is constitutionally required or highly relevant to a specific issue in the case
  • Requires the court to conduct a hearing to determine the admissibility of any such evidence before it can be presented
  • Establishes a presumption that evidence of a victim's manner of dress at the time of the alleged offense is not relevant and should not be admitted
  • Allows the court to admit evidence of a victim's past sexual conduct or predisposition only if it determines the probative value outweighs the prejudicial effect on the victim and the administration of justice

Affected Parties and Impacts

This bill would primarily impact victims of sexual crimes, who would be better protected from having their private lives and sexual histories used against them in court. It would also affect prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges, who would need to follow the new rules around the admissibility of this type of evidence.

The changes are intended to encourage more victims to report sexual crimes, as they would have greater confidence that irrelevant and prejudicial information about their personal lives would not be used to undermine their credibility or character. This could lead to more successful prosecutions and accountability for perpetrators.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The bill has been COMMITTED TO RULES, which means it has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration. If it passes out of committee, it would then need to be voted on by the full Senate. If passed by the Senate, it would then move to the House for consideration.

The legislative process can be lengthy, and the ultimate fate of the bill remains uncertain at this stage. Continued advocacy and public engagement will be important to ensure the bill advances and is ultimately enacted into law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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