Criminal Procedure - Evidence - Protecting Artists' Creative Expression (PACE Act)

SB 475 (the PACE Act) protects artists' creative works - like music, dance, visual art, poetry, and film - from being used as evidence against them in criminal or juvenile court. It prohibits such "creative expression" from being admitted unless a court finds by a preponderance of evidence that: (1) the artist intended it literally (not figuratively), (2) it directly references the specific crime facts, and (3) it’s relevant to a disputed fact. The bill explicitly excludes juvenile cases where creative expression is used to evaluate mental health or diversion programs. It applies directly to defendants and juvenile respondents whose artistic work might otherwise be introduced against them. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.