| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to the use of hypnotically induced testimony in a criminal trial.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1002 would make the testimony of a person obtained through hypnosis inadmissible in a criminal trial.
Texas Action is neutral on HB 1002 as it is not conclusive whether or not forensic hypnosis constitutes junk science. The use of junk science in criminal investigations or securing convictions violates the due process rights of the defendant. However, no consensus exists among experts as to whether or not the use of hypnosis is scientifically sound. We support the ability of the Legislature to ban methods that they deem to be unreliable.