Senate adopts SB95 to strengthen supports for victims, adds appellate clarification for anti‑SLAPP provision

Senator Weisman asked senators to support Senate Bill 95 during floor consideration on March 5, 2026, saying the judiciary committee had worked with the Department of Public Safety, the attorney general’s office and the Office of the State Public Defender to refine language in the measure. The bill concerns measures to support victims and survivors and does not change substantive criminal offenses.

The Senate adopted an amendment (L6) that, as described on the floor, added a clear appellate procedure related to the bill’s anti‑SLAPP language. Senator Weisman said the committee report reflected “a couple of changes discussed variously with the Department of Public Safety, the AGO, and the Office of the State Public Defender” and asked for support.

Senator Zamora Wilson, who said she had voted yes in committee, raised a floor concern about a provision describing who may be permitted in a room with a victim, saying she worried the language did not specify which individuals would be present and that ambiguity could create opportunities for “coaching” or bias. “I was concerned about any possibility of coaching and bias,” she said on the floor while asking senators to note the provision’s wording.

After brief discussion and adoption of amendment L6, the motion to adopt the committee report and advance SB95 carried by voice vote and was recorded on the committee report roll as 35 yeas, 0 nays. The Senate ordered the bill to be engrossed and placed it on the calendar for third reading and final passage.

Next steps: SB95 will proceed to third reading for final passage according to the Senate calendar.