Committee Weighs Expanding hearsay exception to include 13–15‑year‑olds in H 5 The House Judiciary Committee heard divided testimony on H 5, a bill to expand Rule 804(a) to include alleged victims aged 13–15. Judges and prosecutors said the change would aid prosecutions without overburdening courts; civil‑rights advocates warned the law stigmatizes people with mental illness and raises presumption‑of‑guilt concerns. Committee members requested more testimony, including from the defender general and mental‑health advocates.

The House Judiciary Committee is at a crossroads, debating a bill that could redefine how young victims' voices are heard in court—will it protect them or create new injustices?

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#VT #ChildVictimsRights #MentalHealthStigma #LegalReform #CitizenPortal #VermontChildren

Senate Bill 333 addresses child witness testimony admissibility procedures Senate Bill 333 sets guidelines for admitting child victim statements in court.

Senate Bill 333 is set to revolutionize how child victims are treated in court, prioritizing their emotional well-being while still ensuring justice is served.

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#MD #TraumaInformedJustice #CitizenPortal #MarylandChildren #LegalReform #ChildVictimsRights

Maryland lawmakers amend child testimony procedures in abuse cases Maryland General Assembly enacts changes to child victim testimony requirements in abuse trials

Maryland's groundbreaking House Bill 293 could revolutionize how child victims testify in abuse cases, offering them a safe space to share their stories without the trauma of facing their abuser in court.

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#MD #MarylandChildAbuse #TraumaInformedJustice #ChildVictimsRights

House Bill 442 safeguards child witness statements in court proceedings Bill allows audio visual evidence to prevent child witness examinations in court

Maryland's House Bill 442 is set to revolutionize child witness testimony by allowing recorded statements in court, potentially shielding young victims from the trauma of direct examination.

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#MD #LegalReform #ChildVictimsRights #MarylandChildWitnesses #TraumaInformedJustice