HI HB1982

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Rule 616 to allow video-recorded evidence from child victims under age 14 in abuse and sexual offense prosecutions instead of requiring live courtroom testimony.

Requires video recordings be made contemporaneously with the child's initial complaint to police by a police officer or forensic interviewer (licensed counselors, social workers, psychologists, or psychiatrists).

Mandates the interviewer ask non-leading questions and be available at trial to authenticate the recording; provides for exclusion of portions with leading questions without invalidating the entire recording.

Requires the defendant receive a complete unedited copy of the recording at least 14 days before hearing and edited copies with reasonable time to review before evidence is presented to the fact-finder.

Ensures the child remains available for cross-examination at trial and allows video evidence to be presented to grand juries; permits court to exclude recordings only upon clear and convincing evidence of unreliability.