Establishes provisions allowing for freestanding claims of actual innocence

SB 686 would allow individuals convicted of crimes to file legal claims based solely on evidence proving they are factually innocent, without needing to prove their conviction was legally flawed. This bill directly affects people currently incarcerated who believe they were wrongfully convicted, giving them a new legal pathway to challenge their sentences. The key provision creates a standalone legal process separate from appeals based on procedural errors or ineffective counsel. However, the provided context does not specify how the claim would be filed, what evidence is required, or which court would handle such cases. As the bill is still in early committee stages with no detailed policy description available, this summary reflects only the abstract's limited scope.