A bill for an act relating to testimony by a minor witness using two-way, closed-circuit equipment.

This bill (HSB 38) allows courts to protect minors testifying in court from trauma by permitting their testimony to be recorded via two-way, closed-circuit video and audio equipment. It directly affects minors (defined in Iowa Code §599.1) in cases where testifying near the defendant would impair their ability to communicate. The court must specifically find that this measure is necessary, and only the judge, attorneys, essential staff, and those aiding the minor’s well-being may be present with the minor during testimony. The defendant views the testimony remotely via video but is not physically present in the testimony room.