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Panel approves substitute for HB 1728 to broaden technology and extend window for child testimony requests
Summary
The subcommittee voted unanimously to report a substitute for HB 1728 that expands the types of secure technology courts may use to allow child testimony remotely and extends the filing window for such requests from 7 to 30 days; staff said any budget impact should be small.
The General Government and Capital Outlay Subcommittee on Jan. 20 reported a substitute for HB 1728 that expands courts’ ability to permit child testimony using securely encrypted two‑way audio and video technology and extends the period for requesting that testimony from seven days to 30 days.
Ms. Peaks explained the substitute and the bill’s effect: under current law, courts may order two‑way closed‑circuit testimony only when a child shows a substantial inability to communicate about the offense or when expert opinion indicates the child will likely suffer severe emotional trauma. The substitute authorizes testimony when a professional determines the child will suffer at least moderate emotional trauma and replaces the narrower “closed circuit television” definition with “securely encrypted two‑way audio and video technology.”
Ms. Peaks also addressed budget effects: “Yes. There's a small budgetary impact for this. State Police, provides the closed circuit television technology, because most courts don't have them. But as substituted with the technical amendments, because courts will be able to use technology they already have in house that is of the same encrypted and secure nature, we anticipate any cost, would be much less.”
Committee members approved the substitute and voted to report HB 1728 to the next stage. The roll call in the transcript records the bill reported by a vote of 8‑0.
The substitute is technical in nature in that it broadens eligible technology and lengthens the application window; no implementation timeline or additional funding directive was recorded in the meeting transcript.
