MS HB1377

Establishes Mississippi Child Witness Bill of Rights for children under 18 testifying in legal or criminal proceedings as victims or witnesses.

Grants children rights including questioning in age-appropriate language, freedom from harassment, presence of support persons, courtroom accommodations, facility animals or comfort items, and use of screens to obscure defendant's view.

Allows children's testimony to be taken by closed-circuit television or videotaped deposition, with trial judge presiding and defendant afforded cross-examination rights; defendant may be excluded from deposition room if child unable to testify in defendant's physical presence.

Prohibits disclosure of child's personal information, interviews, and identifying details to third parties without written court order; protects child's physical safety in courtroom and waiting areas.

Takes effect July 1, 2015; videotaped depositions must be destroyed five years after trial court judgment, but not before final appeal judgment.