Expediting criminal proceedings when a victim or witness is an elder person and preserving the testimony of a crime victim or witness who is an elder person

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill creates a requirement that a court expedite proceedings in criminal and delinquency cases and juvenile dispositional hearings involving a victim or witness who is an elder person. Under the bill, the court must take appropriate action to ensure a speedy trial in order to minimize the length of time the elder person must endure the stress of involvement in the proceedings.

This bill also creates a requirement that a court preserve certain testimony in criminal matters involving a victim or witness who is an elder person. Under the bill, in criminal and delinquency cases and juvenile dispositional hearings involving a victim or witness who is an elder person, the prosecuting attorney may file a motion to preserve the testimony of the elder person. If the prosecuting attorney files such a motion, the court must then hold a hearing to record the testimony of the elder person within 60 days. The bill requires the defendant to be present at the hearing and the witness to be subject to cross-examination at the hearing. The recorded testimony of the elder person from the hearing is admissible at later court proceedings in the case. Under the bill, an elder person is any person who is 60 years of age or older.

Who's behind it

21 representatives are its authors⁠. 15 are Republicans and 6 are Democrats.

9 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo