Evidence: hearsay: exceptions.

Existing law establishes the hearsay rule, which provides that evidence of a statement that was made other than by a witness while testifying at a hearing and that is offered to prove the truth of the matter stated is inadmissible. Existing law provides exceptions to the hearsay rule, including an exception in criminal prosecutions for statements made by victims, when under 12 years of age, describing any act or attempted act of child abuse with or on the child by another, as specified. This bill, Kelsey's Law, would additionally make an exception to the hearsay rule for statements by a victim who is a minor over 12 years of age if the court determines that the victim has an intellectual disability, when describing any act or attempted act of child abuse, as specified.