MD SB274

Lowers the standard for allowing child victims to testify via closed circuit television in abuse cases, requiring only that the court find testimony in the defendant's presence would cause "serious emotional distress" rather than distress so severe the child "cannot reasonably communicate"

Requires closed circuit testimony to be given within the courthouse in a setting the court determines will mitigate the child victim's emotional distress

Mandates that defendants have a means of privately communicating orally and in real-time with their attorney who is in the room with the testifying child

Prohibits use of this closed circuit television procedure when a defendant or child respondent is without legal counsel

Takes effect October 1, 2025