Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to limitations on discovery depositions involving minor victims
Sponsored by Rep. Megan Jones (R)
Topics:Courts & civil lawCrime & corrections
Same legislation: HF 2639
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 21, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 27, 2026
- Done: House committeeFebruary 17, 2026
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2639
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2639 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2639 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary In most criminal cases, children who are victims cannot be forced to give a live deposition if they have already given a recorded statement to a professional interviewer. These recorded interviews must follow specific national rules and be taken by experts at child advocacy centers. A judge can only allow a live deposition if someone proves there is a very special reason to do so.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to limitations on discovery depositions involving minor victims. The bill provides that, except as provided, discovery depositions are not permitted in any criminal action when the victim is a minor at the time of the deposition and when the victim has previously given a statement by video and audio recording that describes the conduct that constitutes the elements of the charged offense, which recording was obtained by a forensic interviewer employed by an accredited child advocacy center or child protection center, and conducted substantially in accordance with a nationally recognized protocol for interviewing children. The bill provides that discovery depositions shall be permitted in a criminal action involving a minor victim upon application to the court and a showing of exceptional circumstances.
House subcommittee
Named January 27, 2026. On February 4, 2026 it recommended passage.
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
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill limits how defense attorneys can question minor victims during criminal cases by requiring court approval and specific protections. It is estimated to increase costs to the State Public Defender by $850,000 per year. These costs will be paid using the Indigent Defense Fund and the State Public Defender General Fund appropriation for operations.3
From the note: House File 2639 will increase costs to the State Public Defender by $850,000 per year. Costs associated with each claim will be paid from the Indigent Defense Fund and the additional State employee costs will be paid from the State Public Defender General Fund appropriation for operations.
- Criminal Actions, Depositions of Children · March 9, 2026 · $850,000
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91st General Assembly