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AL HB68
Bill
Status
3/29/2022
Primary Sponsor
Matt Simpson
Click for details
AI Summary
HB68 Summary
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Expands protections for child victims and "protected persons" (those with developmental disabilities) in criminal prosecutions for physical offenses, sexual offenses, and violent offenses.
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Permits use of anatomically correct dolls or mannequins during testimony of children under 12 or protected persons, and allows video depositions and closed-circuit testimony to shield vulnerable witnesses from defendant presence.
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Allows leading questions during trial examination of children under 12 or protected persons if the court determines it furthers justice, and permits out-of-court statements to be admitted if specified conditions are met.
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Amends school employee sexual misconduct statutes (Sections 13A-6-81 and 13A-6-82) to extend protections to protected persons under age 22 and increases penalties for certain violations.
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Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.
Legislative Description
Criminal procedure, protected person defined, child under 16 a person with intellectual disability, protected person to be offered protection in criminal prosecutions for physical offenses, sexual offenses, and violent offenses, use of anatomically correct dolls or mannequins during testimony of a child under 12 or a protected person, authorized, Sec. 15-25-7 added; Sec. 15-25-33 repealed; Secs. 15-25-1, 15-25-2, 15-25-3, 15-25-5, 15-25-6, 15-25-30, 15-25-31, 15-25-32, 15-25-34, 15-25-36, 15-25-37, 15-25-38, 15-25-39 am'd.
Criminal Law and Procedure
Last Action
Delivered to Governor at 3:35 p.m. on March 29, 2022.
3/29/2022