HOUSE BILL 368
49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009
INTRODUCED BY
Bill B. O'Neill
AN ACT
RELATING TO JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS; ENACTING THE UNIFORM CHILD WITNESS TESTIMONY BY ALTERNATIVE METHODS ACT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act".
Section 2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act:
A. "alternative method" means a method by which a child witness testifies that does not include all of the following:
(1) having the child testify in person in an open forum;
(2) having the child testify in the presence and full view of the finder of fact and presiding officer; and
(3) allowing all of the parties to be present, to participate and to view and be viewed by the child;
B. "child witness" means an individual under the age of sixteen who has been or will be called to testify in a criminal or noncriminal proceeding;
C. "criminal proceeding" means a trial or hearing before a court in a prosecution of a person charged with violating a criminal law of New Mexico or a delinquency proceeding pursuant to the Delinquency Act involving conduct that if engaged in by an adult would constitute a violation of a criminal law of New Mexico; and
D. "noncriminal proceeding" means a trial or hearing before a court or an administrative agency of New Mexico having judicial or quasi-judicial powers, other than a criminal proceeding.
Section 3. APPLICABILITY.--
A. The Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act applies to the testimony of a child witness in a criminal or noncriminal proceeding. However, the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act does not preclude, in a criminal or noncriminal proceeding, any other procedure permitted by law for a child witness to testify by an alternative method, however denominated, or in a closed forum.
B. The supreme court may adopt rules of procedure and evidence to implement the provisions of the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act.
Section 4. HEARING WHETHER TO ALLOW TESTIMONY BY ALTERNATIVE METHOD.--
A. The presiding officer in a criminal or noncriminal proceeding may order a hearing to determine whether to allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method. The presiding officer, for good cause shown, shall order the hearing upon motion of a party, a child witness or an individual determined by the presiding officer to have sufficient standing to act on behalf of the child.
B. A hearing to determine whether to allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method shall be conducted on the record after reasonable notice to all parties, to any nonparty movant and to any other person the presiding officer specifies. The child's presence is not required at the hearing unless ordered by the presiding officer. In conducting the hearing, the presiding officer is not bound by rules of evidence except the rules of privilege.
Section 5. STANDARDS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A CHILD WITNESS MAY TESTIFY BY ALTERNATIVE METHOD.--
A. In a criminal proceeding, the presiding officer may allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method only in the following situations:
(1) the child may testify otherwise than in an open forum in the presence and full view of the finder of fact if the presiding officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child would suffer serious emotional trauma that would substantially impair the child's ability to communicate with the finder of fact if required to testify in the open forum; and
(2) the child may testify other than face-to-face with the defendant if the presiding officer finds by clear and convincing evidence that the child would suffer serious emotional trauma that would substantially impair the child's ability to communicate with the finder of fact if required to be confronted face-to-face by the defendant.
B. In a noncriminal proceeding, the presiding officer may allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method if the presiding officer finds by a preponderance of the evidence that allowing the child to testify by an alternative method is necessary to serve the best interests of the child or enable the child to communicate with the finder of fact. In making this finding, the presiding officer shall consider:
(1) the nature of the proceeding;
(2) the age and maturity of the child;
(3) the relationship of the child to the parties in the proceeding;
(4) the nature and degree of emotional trauma that the child may suffer in testifying; and
(5) any other relevant factor.
Section 6. FACTORS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER TO PERMIT ALTERNATIVE METHOD.--If the presiding officer determines that a standard pursuant to Section 5 of the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act has been met, the presiding officer shall determine whether to allow a child witness to testify by an alternative method and in doing so shall consider:
A. alternative methods reasonably available;
B. available means for protecting the interests of or reducing emotional trauma to the child without resort to an alternative method;
C. the nature of the case;
D. the relative rights of the parties;
E. the importance of the proposed testimony of the child;
F. the nature and degree of emotional trauma that the child may suffer if an alternative method is not used; and
G. any other relevant factor.
Section 7. ORDER REGARDING TESTIMONY BY ALTERNATIVE METHOD.--
A. An order allowing or disallowing a child witness to testify by an alternative method shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law that support the presiding officer's determination.
B. An order allowing a child witness to testify by an alternative method shall:
(1) state the method by which the child is to testify;
(2) list any individual or category of individuals allowed to be in, or required to be excluded from, the presence of the child during the testimony;
(3) state any special conditions necessary to facilitate a party's right to examine or cross-examine the child;
(4) state any condition or limitation upon the participation of individuals present during the testimony of the child; and
(5) state any other condition necessary for taking or presenting the testimony.
C. The alternative method ordered by the presiding officer may be no more restrictive of the rights of the parties than is necessary under the circumstances to serve the purposes of the order.
Section 8. RIGHT OF PARTY TO EXAMINE CHILD WITNESS.--An alternative method ordered by the presiding officer shall permit a full and fair opportunity for examination or cross- examination of the child witness by each party.
Section 9. UNIFORMITY OF APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION.--In applying and construing the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states that enact it.
Section 10. SEVERABILITY.--If any part or application of the Uniform Child Witness Testimony by Alternative Methods Act is held invalid, the remainder or its application to other situations or persons shall not be affected.
Section 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2009.
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