Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon SB1515: Relating to wrongful convictions; and declaring an emergency.
Status: Chaptered, April 14, 2026
Digest: 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.
What the bill says
An act committed when the person was under 18 years Enrolled Senate Bill 1515 (SB 1515-B) Page 1 of age if the adjudication resulted in the person's placement in custody of the Oregon Youth Authority or the Department of Corrections for at least one year. (c) A prior court's finding that in light of all of the evidence, both old and new, no reasonable juror would have voted to find the person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, is sufficient to prove that the person did not commit the crime or crimes for which the person was convicted. (d) The means described in paragraph (c) of this subsection.
From the enrolled text, March 6, 2026:
an act committed when the person was under 18 years Enrolled Senate Bill 1515 (SB 1515-B) Page 1 of age if the adjudication resulted in the person's placement in custody of the Oregon Youth Authority or the Department of Corrections for at least one year. (c) A prior court's finding that in light of all of the evidence, both old and new, no reasonable juror would have voted to find the person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, is sufficient to prove that the person did not commit the crime or crimes for which the person was convicted. (d) The means described in paragraph (c) of this subsection are not the exclusive means by which a person may prove that they did not commit the crime or crimes for which the person was convicted, and nothing in paragraph (c) of this subsection limits or affects any other means by which a person may prove that the person did not commit the crime or crimes for which the person was convicted. [(3)] (4) A person may file a petition for compensation under this section in the Circuit Court for Marion County or in the circuit court for the county of conviction. The petitioner shall serve the petition on the Attorney General, who shall represent the state in all proceedings on the petition. …