SCS/SBs 661 & 648 - This act establishes the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, which provides that evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression shall not be admissible against such defendant in a criminal case except if the state proves certain elements and facts of the creative or artistic expression by clear and convincing evidence at a hearing held in private before the judge. The court shall make its ruling, which shall include findings of fact that were essential to the ruling, on the record. Lastly, this act provides that if the court admits any evidence, the court shall ensure that the expression is redacted in a manner to limit the evidence presented to the jury to that which is specifically allowed by this act and provide appropriate limiting instructions to the jury.

This act is substantially similar to HCS/HBs 1389 & 1040 (2025), HB 2923 (2024), and HB 353 (2023).

KATIE O'BRIEN

Statutes affected:
Introduced (2594S.01): 490.750
Committee (2594S.02): 490.750

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 661
Sponsor: Williams
Hearing Date: 4/1/2025


COMMITTEE: General Laws

CHAIRMAN: Trent

DATE REFERRED: 3/24/2025 DATE HEARING REQUESTED:



STAFF:
Bryce Beal
Victoria Hooker
Scott Svagera


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Evie Craig - The Arts Asylum
Kyna Iman - Missouri Citizens fot the Arts and Restoring Artistic Protection Act
Tashayla Person - Free Our Art
Ron Gubitz - Music Artistes Coalition
Branden Haralson - Arts KC and Midwest Innocence Project


WITNESSES AGAINST:
Ward Cook - Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorney's