HI HB792

Authorizes courts to allow nonresident victims of misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor property crimes to testify via live two-way video connection instead of appearing in person.

Restricts video testimony to specific topics: identification and ownership of stolen property, property value, lack of consent to take the property, and identification of the person who took it.

Requires the victim to testify under oath with the whole body visible at all times, and mandates that both defense and prosecution attorneys be physically present with the victim during testimony.

Applies only when the victim was a nonresident at the time of the crime and remains a nonresident at the time of testimony, addressing the problem that criminals target tourists because they are unlikely to travel back to testify in person.

Effective July 1, 2030.