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Judiciary Committee Hears Mixed Testimony on Raising Hearsay Exception to 16 in Child‑abuse Cases
Summary
On Jan. 15 the House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on a bill to extend Vermont’s hearsay exception for child abuse cases to age 16. Law‑enforcement and victim‑advocate witnesses said it would better support teen victims; public defenders warned it may not shield teens from cross‑examination and could weaken confrontation rights.
The House Judiciary Committee convened Thursday and took testimony on a bill to expand Vermont’s hearsay exception so that statements to certain witnesses by victims up to age 16 could be admitted in criminal cases.
Supporters, including law‑enforcement and child‑victim advocates, said the change would bring Vermont into line with many other states and help teens who are reluctant or retraumatized by courtroom testimony. "These cases are really hard to bring to prosecution," said Kelly Woodward, a longtime victim advocate now with the Northwest Unit for Special Investigations. "This bill...gives them some additional support so they feel more comfortable."
Opponents, led by Kate Lamson, a Bennington County public defender, urged caution. Lamson said the bill, as drafted,…
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