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Senate panel weighs narrow hearsay exception for trafficking survivors amid concerns about scope
Summary
Senators heard proponents argue HB 4157 would let courts admit immediate victim statements in trafficking cases under reliability standards; defense and civil-rights groups warned the expansion could have consequences and urged careful drafting and balancing safeguards.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard competing testimony on House Bill 4157, which would add a new exception to Oregon’s evidence rules allowing certain statements by victims of trafficking or related commercial sexual exploitation to be admitted if made within 24 hours and displaying sufficient indicia of reliability.
Proponents described the proposal as a trauma-informed, narrowly drawn measure to give voice to victims who may be coerced or…
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