The bill H.5 proposes an amendment to Rule 804a of the Vermont Rules of Evidence, extending the hearsay exception to include children under 16 years of age who are victims of abuse. Specifically, it removes the previous age limit of 12 years and replaces it with 16 years, allowing statements made by children aged 13 to 15 to be admissible in court under certain conditions. The bill outlines that these statements can be used in civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings where the child is a putative victim of various forms of sexual assault or abuse, as well as in juvenile proceedings involving delinquent acts against children under 16.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the statements must not have been taken in preparation for a legal proceeding, must be made before the defendant's initial appearance in court, and the child or individual with a mental illness or disability must be available to testify. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.