HB3521Introduced in the House
UNRELIABLE STATEMENTS INADMISS
Introduced by Justin Slaughter, District 27
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that unreliable statements to law enforcement made during a custodial interrogation conducted at a police station or other place of detention by a defendant are inadmissible at trial in any criminal court proceeding or juvenile court proceeding for the prosecution of a homicide. Provides that in any proceeding under this provision, the prosecution shall timely disclose prior to any relevant evidentiary hearing or trial its intent to introduce a statement made during a custodial interrogation conducted at a place of detention. Provides that at that time, the prosecution must tender any electronic recordings of the statement and any documents relating to the circumstances under which the statement was obtained and any other evidence the State intends to rely upon to determine the statement's reliability. Provides that before trial, a defendant may move to exclude a statement alleged to be unreliable. Provides that the defendant shall specifically identify the statement or statements alleged to be unreliable. Provides that at the hearing, it shall be the burden of the prosecutor to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the statement is reliable. Provides that when deciding a statement's reliability, a court should consider: (1) whether the details in the statement fit with the evidence known before the interrogation, especially details that describe unusual or not easily guessed facts of the crime that had not been made public; (2) whether the statement provides any new details or any new evidence not known before the interrogation that can be independently corroborated after the interrogation; (3) whether facts of the crime were disclosed to the defendant rather than originated with the defendant; (4) whether the defendant recanted the defendant's statement at any time and the circumstances of that recantation; (5) whether the statement was electronically recorded; and (6) any other information relevant to the reliability of the statement.
Where it stands
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
April 17, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
HouseStage: House Judiciary - Criminal Committee · March 20, 2025
8
Yes
6
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
15 representatives recorded in this House vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each representative voted
| Representative | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Cassidy | 14 | Yes |
| Kevin Olickal | 16 | Yes |
| Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar | 22 | No |
| Edgar Gonzalez | 23 | Yes |
| Justin Slaughter | 27 | Yes |
| Lisa Davis | 32 | Yes |
| Patrick Sheehan | 37 | No |
| Will Guzzardi | 39 | Yes |
| Barbara Hernandez | 50 | Yes |
| Bob Morgan | 58 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Justin Slaughter
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
Do Pass / Standard Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee; 008-006-000
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Standard Debate
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II
Second Reading - Standard Debate
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Standard Debate
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper
Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita
Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. William "Will" Davis
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Approved for Consideration Rules Committee; 005-000-000
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Standard Debate
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Verify the information
Our commitment to neutrality
We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.