Wrongful Conviction Compensation and Discredited Science PCR Process
Summary
Oregon enacted SB1515, modifying provisions relating to petitions for compensation for wrongful conviction. The Act creates a new post-conviction relief petition process for individuals whose convictions are based on scientific expert testimony, evidence, or opinion derived from specified discredited forensic science disciplines. The Act declares an emergency and became effective on April 7, 2026, when signed by the Governor. The new petition process sunsets on January 2, 2031.
What changed
SB1515 modifies Oregon's wrongful conviction compensation framework and creates a new post-conviction relief petition process for individuals whose convictions are based on discredited forensic science. The law was signed by the Governor on April 7, 2026, and took effect immediately due to an emergency declaration. The new petition process is subject to a sunset provision on January 2, 2031.
This represents a substantive change to Oregon's criminal justice system, creating a specific legal pathway for individuals wrongfully convicted based on flawed scientific evidence. Courts, legal professionals, and criminal defendants should be aware of this new process. The emergency effective date indicates legislative priority for addressing wrongful convictions involving discredited forensic science disciplines.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates on implementation of the new post-conviction relief petition process
- Review procedures for filing petitions based on discredited forensic science
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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