This bill amends existing law to allow all victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television, expanding the current provisions that only apply to cases involving sexual activity. The bill specifies that a motion for closed circuit testimony can be made not only by the victim, witness, prosecutor, or defendant's counsel, but also by the trial judge on their own motion. This change aims to enhance the protection of victims and witnesses by reducing the potential for emotional distress during testimony.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which closed circuit testimony may be granted, ensuring that the victim or witness testifies under oath and is subject to cross-examination. It also establishes that the defendant's counsel must be present in the same room as the victim or witness during the testimony, while allowing for private communication between the defendant and their attorney. The bill further clarifies the handling of audio recordings from such testimonies, particularly regarding confidentiality for minors and the conditions under which recordings may be included in the record on appeal.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2A:84A-32.4