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Subcommittee backs pilot to audio-record forensic interviews in child-abuse cases
Summary
House Bill 1734 would create an audio-only pilot modeled on the Gracie Act for forensic interviews of child victims in one county, the sponsor said, to improve accuracy of interviews and reduce retraumatization. The committee heard supporting testimony from a Street Grace volunteer and advanced the bill to full judiciary.
House Bill 1734, sponsored by Chair Lady Moody, would establish a pilot program to record forensic interviews of child victims using audio only. Moody told the committee the measure was modeled on the national Gracie Act but tailored for Tennessee and limited to one pilot county; she emphasized collaboration with DCS and local victim-service providers.
Kamala Zolfagari, introduced herself as a volunteer with Street Grace and a former prosecutor, and testified in support. "If we record them and audio is absolutely appropriate, then we'll have the most accurate stance," Zolfagari said, adding that recordings reduce the need for children to repeat traumatic accounts. The committee adopted an amendment and voted 4–0 to send the bill to full judiciary.
