HSB 38: Relating to testimony by a minor witness using two-way, closed-circuit equipment

What it does

This bill relates to testimony by a minor witness using two-way, closed-circuit equipment. The bill provides that a court may protect a minor from trauma caused by testifying in the physical presence of a defendant where it would impair the minor’s ability to communicate, by ordering that the testimony of the minor be taken in a room other than the courtroom. The testimony will be televised by two-way, closed-circuit equipment with both audio and video feeds for listening and viewing in the courtroom. Current law does not specify that the closed-circuit H.F. _____ equipment have two-way capabilities.

House subcommittee · named February 6, 2025

• Rep. Judd Lawler (R) · judd.lawler@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Steven C. Holt (R) · steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Lindsay James (D) · lindsay.james@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 15 for, 1 against

For: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa (ACLU-IA); Blank Childrens Hospital; Iowa Association for Justice; Iowa Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association; Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance; Iowa Psychiatric Physicians Society; Iowa Psychological Association; Iowa State Bar Association; Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' Association; and 3 more

Against: Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers

In plain words

1. January 17, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Judiciary committee
2. January 17, 2025House subcommittee named: Lawler, James, Thomson and C
3. February 6, 2025House subcommittee named: Lawler, Holt and James
4. February 18, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
5. February 24, 2025Approved by the House committee
6. February 24, 2025Committee vote: 21–0
7. February 25, 2025Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 602