House moves S.190 forward to limit repeated testimony by child victims

On the floor Representative Arseneault (Member from Williston) summarized the Judiciary Committee’s report on Senate Bill S.190 and urged House support.

Arseneault said S.190 "is to limit the number of times a child must recount their experience of physical abuse that resulted in serious bodily injury." The bill extends protections in court depositions and in the rules governing hearsay for certain child victims: depositions would be allowed only upon party agreement or court approval under three specified conditions, the court must appoint counsel for the child and may issue protective orders, and interviews conducted by special investigative units would be recorded to assure credibility.

The committee told the House it heard testimony from a range of specialists and stakeholders — including a child abuse pediatrician, child protection specialists, defenders, victim advocates, and judiciary officials — and said the change will help protect young victims and could increase prosecution of abuse cases. The committee vote was cited in the floor report as '1100.' Arseneault noted most changes amend court rules and invoked the General Assembly’s authority under 12 V.S.A. § 1. The House ordered the bill read a third time.

If enacted as written, the bill’s text places an effective date of July 1, 2024 for the rule changes mentioned on the floor.