Wrongful Conviction Compensation and Discredited Science PCR Process
Summary
Oregon enacted SB1515, modifying provisions for petitions for compensation for wrongful conviction. The Act creates a new post-conviction relief petition process for individuals whose convictions were based on specified discredited forensic science disciplines. The new petition process sunsets on January 2, 2031. The Act declares an emergency and took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature on April 7, 2026.
What changed
Oregon SB1515 enacts provisions for wrongful conviction compensation and establishes a new post-conviction relief petition process for individuals whose convictions were based on scientific expert testimony, evidence, or opinion derived from specified discredited forensic science disciplines. The Act modifies existing provisions relating to petitions for compensation for wrongful conviction.
Affected parties include individuals who have been wrongfully convicted based on discredited forensic science, who may now petition for post-conviction relief under the new process created by this Act. The new petition process sunsets on January 2, 2031, meaning eligible petitioners must act before that date. Legal professionals and courts should prepare for potential increases in post-conviction relief filings. The emergency declaration indicates the legislature's intent for immediate implementation upon the Governor's signature.
What to do next
- Individuals with wrongful convictions based on discredited forensic science may file new post-conviction relief petitions
- Affected parties should monitor petition process deadlines
- Legal professionals should familiarize themselves with new PCR petition requirements
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Oregon / SB1515 Effective Date SB1515 Senate Bill Effective Date 2026-04-14
Relating to wrongful convictions; and declaring an emergency.
The Act changes the law about compensation for wrongful convictions and makes a new PCR process when a conviction is based on some discredited science. The Act goes into effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.9). Modifies provisions relating to petitions for compensation for wrongful conviction. Creates a new post-conviction relief petition process when a person has a conviction that is based on scientific expert testimony, scientific expert evidence or scientific expert opinion derived from specified discredited forensic science disciplines. Sunsets the new petition process on January 2, 2031. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
Bill Details
State Oregon
Session 2026 Legislative Measures
Chamber Senate
Official Source olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Meas...
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Action History
2026-04-14 S Effective date, April 7, 2026. 2026-04-14 S Chapter 131, 2026 Laws. 2026-04-07 S Governor signed. 2026-03-10 H Speaker signed. 2026-03-10 S President signed. 2026-03-06 S Manning Jr, excused, granted unanimous consent to vote aye. 2026-03-06 S Senate concurred in House amendments and repassed bill. Ayes, 29; Excused, 1--Hayden. 2026-03-05 H Third reading. Carried by Chotzen. Passed. Ayes, 40; Nays, 16--Boice, Bunch, Diehl, Edwards, Harbick, Helfrich, Lewis, Mannix, McIntire, Osborne, Owens, Reschke, Scharf, Skarlatos, Smith G, Yunker; Excused, 3--Hartman, Levy B, Valderrama; Excused for Business of the House, 1--Boshart Davis. 2026-03-04 H Second reading. 2026-03-03 H Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed B-Engrossed. 2026-03-03 H Work Session held. 2026-03-02 H Public Hearing held. 2026-02-24 H Referred to Rules. 2026-02-24 H First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk. 2026-02-24 S Third reading. Carried by Thatcher, Prozanski. Passed. Ayes, 28; Nays, 1--Drazan; Excused, 1--Smith DB. 2026-02-23 S Carried over to 02-24 by unanimous consent. 2026-02-20 S Second reading. 2026-02-19 S Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.) 2026-02-16 S Work Session held. 2026-02-11 S Work Session held. 2026-02-04 S Public Hearing held. 2026-02-02 S Referred to Judiciary. 2026-02-02 S Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
Votes
2026-02-16 Senate Committee Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.) Yea: 6 Nay: 0 2026-02-24 Senate Third Reading Yea: 28 Nay: 1 2026-03-03 House Committee Do pass with amendments to the A-Eng bill. (Printed B-Eng.) Yea: 7 Nay: 0 2026-03-05 House Third Reading Yea: 40 Nay: 16 2026-03-06 Senate Third Reading in Concurrence Yea: 29 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-02 S Judiciary 2026-02-24 H Rules
Amendments
2026-02-04 Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-1 2026-02-11 Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-3 2026-02-11 Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-4 2026-02-16 Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-3 2026-02-16 Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-4 2026-03-02 House Committee On Rules Amendment #-A5 2026-03-03 House Committee On Rules Amendment #-A5 2026-03-03 House Committee On Rules Amendment #-A6 Adopted
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Engrossed 0000-00-00 Engrossed 0000-00-00 Engrossed 0000-00-00 Enrolled Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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