Criminal Justice

HF 602 allows courts to let minor witnesses testify remotely via two-way video equipment instead of in the same courtroom as the defendant, when testifying in person would cause trauma that impairs their communication. This directly affects minors involved in court cases - particularly criminal proceedings - where facing the defendant could be harmful. The bill requires the court to specifically find that remote testimony is necessary, mandates a separate room with two-way audio/video for the minor, and restricts who can be present with the minor during testimony (only the judge, attorneys, equipment operators, and essential support staff). Current law lacked this two-way video requirement, so the bill updates the procedure to better protect minors' well-being during testimony.