HB 4157
Provides that certain hearsay statements related to certain sex crimes are not inadmissible in evidence, even though the declarant is available as a witness.
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Sign in to take actionPublic sentiment
Support
71%
Oppose
29%
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill modifies Oregon law regarding hearsay evidence, specifically concerning certain sex crimes. It allows for the admission of hearsay statements related to these crimes, even if the declarant is available to testify, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include the statement relating to a startling event, a declarant’s state of mind, medical history, or a memorandum made in the course of business, among other specific circumstances. The bill also addresses the admissibility of statements from victims of domestic violence and crimes involving commercial sex acts, and includes provisions for protecting the testimony of child and developmentally disabled witnesses.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsors
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
Supporters of House Bill 4157 agree that the legislation addresses a critical issue in Oregon's response to sex trafficking by strengthening accountability for traffickers without criminalizing those involved in the sex trade. The bill aims to empower survivors and educate the public about commercial sexual exploitation, while also prioritizing the reliability of statements made to peace officers or firefighters within 24 hours of an incident. By allowing certain out-of-court statements about sex crimes to be admitted into evidence, the legislation seeks to create a more trauma-informed understanding of how people experience and communicate trauma, ultimately helping to hold perpetrators accountable and provide a pathway to justice for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Source: Testimony Summaries
Arguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
Opponents of the bill express concerns that it carries significant risks for consensual sex workers, particularly those from marginalized communities such as BIPOC and gender minority individuals. They argue that the bill's current form is not effective in targeting traffickers and may instead further isolate vulnerable populations by criminalizing those who help protect them. The inclusion of provisions like "Promoting Prostitution" is seen as problematic, as it doesn't require force, fraud, or coercion, and could lead to the criminalization of support networks for sex workers. Critics also point out that the bill lacks meaningful consultation with sex worker-led organizations, which undermines its legitimacy and may result in inequitable application of the law.
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