Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to testimony by certain witnesses by two-way closed-circuit equipment
Sponsored by Sen. Liz Bennett (D), Sen. Tony Bisignano (D), Sen. Matt Blake (D), Sen. Molly Donahue (D), Sen. William A. Dotzler Jr. (D), Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D), Sen. Izaah Knox (D), Sen. Janet Petersen (D), Sen. Herman C. Quirmbach (D), Sen. Art Staed (D), Sen. Thomas Townsend (D), Sen. Zach Wahls (D), Sen. Janice Weiner (D), Sen. Cindy Winckler (D)
Topics:Courts & civil law
Same legislation: HF 403
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 16, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 23, 2025
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Courts can now allow children or people with certain disabilities to testify using two-way video equipment instead of being in the same room as the defendant. This change helps protect witnesses from trauma that might make it hard for them to speak clearly. A judge can make this decision to help a minor or a person with a mental or developmental disability communicate more easily during a trial.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to testimony by certain witnesses by two-way closed-circuit equipment. The bill provides that upon its own motion or upon motion of any party, a court may protect a minor up to 18 years of age from trauma caused by testifying in the physical presence of the 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 and be televised by two-way closed-circuit equipment for viewing in the courtroom. Current law does not specify that the closed-circuit equipment be two-way. Upon a finding of necessity, the court may also allow the testimony of a victim or witness with a mental illness, an intellectual disability, or other developmental disability to be taken by two-way closed-circuit equipment regardless of the age of the victim or witness.
Senate subcommittee
Named January 23, 2025. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
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91st General Assembly