04/28/1994 04:20 PM Senate JUD

 SENATOR TAYLOR brought  HB 78  (TESTIMONY OF MINORS IN CRIMINAL               
 TRIALS) before the committee as the next order of business.                   
                                                                               
 DAVID HARDING, staff to Representative Eileen MacLean, explained              
 the bill makes it possible to protect children under the age of 16            
 from appearing in person as witnesses at criminal trials.  Current            
 law allows witnesses under the age of 13 to testify by video tape             
 or closed circuit television if the court finds that testifying in            
 person would be too difficult for the child.  There has been                  
 concern about children who are forced to testify in sexual abuse of           
 a minor and assault cases.                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR commented that HB 78 is a good bill, but it can                
 cause some major problems, and he hopes it can be found to be                 
 constitutional.                                                               
                                                                               
 SENATOR HALFORD moved that HB 78 be passed out of committee with              
 individual recommendations.  Hearing no objection, it was so                  
 ordered.