Committee clarifies felony for obstructing medical or forensic care in sexual‑assault cases; adds explicit protection for coerced victims A strike‑and‑insert to House Bill 5484 was amended to clarify that victims coerced into illegal acts are not to be criminally liable; sponsors said the bill targets traffickers and abusers who prevent victims from receiving forensic or medical care.

A new bill aims to protect victims of trafficking and abuse from criminal liability while targeting those who obstruct their access to vital medical care.

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Senate committee rejects HB 4468 after sharp testimony from prosecutors, advocates and reporters over victim‑privacy rollback A proposed rollback of confidentiality protections for victims in certain criminal complaints drew sustained opposition from prosecutors, victim‑services groups and reporters; the committee defeated a motion to report the bill to the full Senate.

A heated Senate committee hearing revealed deep divisions over a proposed bill that could compromise the confidentiality of sexual assault victims, raising fears it would deter reporting and endanger public safety.

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