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MN HF3002
Bill
Status
Introduced
3/12/2014
Primary Sponsor
Ryan Winkler
Click for details
AI Summary
- Defines "child" as a person under the age of 18 for purposes of child witness testimony procedures
- Court may administer oaths to children in a manner appropriate to their developmental level and understanding of the duty to tell the truth
- Court may explain to child witnesses that they can notify the court if they don't understand a question, and may rephrase questions to ensure comprehension
- Court may allow recesses during child testimony for the child's energy, comfort, or attention span needs
- Court may permit child witnesses to possess comfort items or have a supportive person present during testimony, unless such accommodation would unfairly prejudice the fact-finder's evaluation of the child's testimony
- Effective for all trials or testimonial proceedings commenced on or after August 1, 2014
Legislative Description
Child testimony manner provided.
Last Action
Authors added Bly and Simonson
3/17/2014
Committee Referrals
Judiciary Finance and Policy3/12/2014
Full Bill Text
No bill text available