Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Barbara Favola
SB 837 status: In Committee — Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (updated Sep 17, 2026).

Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
Bill summary
Admissibility of statements by individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities in certain cases. Prohibits admission of any evidence from an individual with developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities, as defined in relevant law, in certain criminal prosecutions unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that such individual's decision to speak to law enforcement did not have a direct and substantial relationship to such individual's disability. The bill requires notice be given to the attorney for the Commonwealth if a defendant intends to introduce expert testimony regarding his disability. The bill prohibits any statements made by a defendant during an examination by an expert witness from being used against him except for impeachment or perjury.
Modeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Positive outlook
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Positive outlook
Positive outlook
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Potential for increased judicial backlog due to evidentiary hearings.
!Analysis scope
Source provided is an abstract; full legislative text may contain specific procedural nuances.

Set your location
Add your district to see how this bill may affect your community and who to contact.
Your Representatives
Your representatives appear here once you add your location.

Contact your representatives
Let them know how you feel about this bill.

Share your view
Join the discussion and see what others are saying.

Track this bill
Stay updated on progress and changes.