AB 2556: Evidence: credibility of witnesses and evidence affected or excluded by extrinsic policies.

This bill aims to amend the evidence code to improve the handling of sensitive evidence in rape and other sex crimes cases. The proposed changes would apply to all cases, not just those occurring in local detention facilities or state prisons, and would remove exceptions for such cases. The bill would require a specific procedure for attacking the credibility of a complaining witness, including a written motion and a hearing out of the presence of the jury. Additionally, the bill would prohibit the admission of evidence that could be seen as character-based, such as opinion evidence, reputation evidence, or specific instances of sexual conduct involving the victim and others.