Legislation - SB0475

Title: Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)
Sponsored by: Senators Sydnor, Charles, West, and Mautz
Status: In the House - First Reading Judiciary
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note

Synopsis

Providing that the creative expression of a criminal defendant or juvenile respondent is not admissible against the defendant or respondent unless the court makes certain findings, subject to a certain exception; and providing that the Act does not preclude the admission of a creative expression in juvenile cases for the purposes of evaluating, recommending, or ordering referral to mental health services or diversion programs.

Committees

Original:: Judicial Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Judiciary

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: HB0687

Introduced in a prior session as: SB1001 Session: 2025 Regular Session

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/02/2026 Legislative Date 2/02/2026 Action First Reading Judicial Proceedings Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act) Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/04/2026 Legislative Date 2/04/2026 Action Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/09/2026 Legislative Date 2/09/2026 Action Hearing canceled Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 2/09/2026 Legislative Date 2/09/2026 Action Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - Senate - Committee - Judicial Proceedings Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Favorable Adopted Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/06/2026 Action Second Reading Passed Proceedings 45 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act) Proceedings
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 3/23/2026 Legislative Date 3/07/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (33-10) Proceedings 46 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 3/24/2026 Legislative Date 3/11/2026 Action Referred Judiciary Proceedings 48AClick to view Recorded Media

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
Senate	2/02/2026	2/02/2026	First Reading Judicial Proceedings
			Text - First - Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)
Senate	2/04/2026	2/04/2026	Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.
Senate	2/09/2026	2/09/2026	Hearing canceled
Senate	2/09/2026	2/09/2026	Hearing 2/11 at 2:00 p.m.
			Vote - Senate - Committee - Judicial Proceedings	Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/23/2026	Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Favorable Adopted	45 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	3/23/2026	3/06/2026	Second Reading Passed	45 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)
Senate	3/23/2026	3/07/2026	Third Reading Passed (33-10)	46 Click to view Recorded Media
House	3/24/2026	3/11/2026	Referred Judiciary	48AClick to view Recorded Media

File Code

Subjects

Statutes