Act No. 89 Page 1 of 1
2024
This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General Assembly. It
is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be exhaustive. It has been prepared by the
staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without input from members of the General Assembly. It is not
intended to aid in the interpretation of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.
Act No. 89 (S.190). An act relating to statements made by a child victim of an offense
involving serious bodily injury
Subjects: Criminal procedure; hearsay; depositions
This act amends the court rules, limiting the number of times a child must recount the
child’s experience of physical abuse that resulted in seriously bodily injury. The act
applies existing rules regarding depositions of children under 16 years of age if they are
victims of certain sexual offenses to children under 16 years of age if they are victims in
a case of cruelty to a child involving serious bodily injury. Similarly, the rule permitting
admissibility of hearsay statements by a child 12 years of age or under if the child is the
putative victim of a sexual offense is extended to hearsay statements by a child 12 years
of age or under if the child is the putative victim of cruelty to a child involving serious
bodily injury.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024
VT LEG #377369 v.2


Statutes affected:
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 24-1940
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 24-1940
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 24-1940
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 24-1940
As Enacted: 24-1940