Evidence - As introduced, adds a rebuttable presumption that the criteria for a child victim to testify by two-way closed circuit television in a criminal matter involving certain offenses are met if the child is under 13 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 7 and Title 39.

HB 2099 would change Tennessee law to automatically allow children under 13 to testify via two-way video link (instead of in person) in certain criminal cases involving child victims. This creates a rebuttable presumption that such children would suffer significant trauma from facing the defendant, meaning courts must assume the criteria for video testimony are met unless the defendant proves otherwise. The bill also requires judges to confirm that using video testimony won’t unfairly harm the defendant’s right to a fair trial. This applies specifically to cases involving certain offenses against child victims under 13.