Committee approves expansion of admissible forensic interviews for children and adolescents

The House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to HB 257, a bill to modernize admissibility standards for forensic interviews of child and adolescent victims. Sponsor Representative Givens said the update expands admissibility to include individuals under 18, preserves defendants’ rights to cross-examine witnesses, and requires judicial findings on trustworthiness before admitting forensic interviews.

The committee adopted two amendments: the first updated the definition to expand the covered age to 18 from a lower age, and the second clarified mandatory reporter follow-up requirements and when the statute of limitations begins to run for retaliation against a reporter. The sponsor and supporting members said the changes are intended to reduce repeated questioning of child victims while preserving procedural safeguards.

Committee members voted to report the bill favorably as amended by voice vote.