VT H0005

Amends Vermont Rules of Evidence Rule 804a to raise the age threshold for the hearsay exception from children 12 years and under to children under 16 years of age

Allows out-of-court statements from child abuse victims ages 13-15 to be admitted as evidence in civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings involving sexual assault, lewd conduct, incest, abuse, neglect, or cruelty

Requires courts to find that statements were not prepared for legal proceedings, the child is available to testify, and the statements demonstrate substantial indicia of trustworthiness

Maintains existing protections for persons with mental illness or intellectual/developmental disabilities under the same hearsay exception

Takes effect July 1, 2026