Bill > S634

This bill introduces several key provisions to protect domestic violence victims in the legal system. First, it modifies the hearsay rule to allow statements against a party who intentionally caused a witness to be unavailable, which could help prevent perpetrators from silencing victims. Second, the bill extends the statute of limitations for certain misdemeanors related to domestic violence, giving prosecutors more time to charge offenses that require specific pretrial release conditions. Most significantly, the bill establishes a comprehensive framework for remote testimony in domestic violence criminal proceedings, allowing victim witnesses to testify outside the physical presence of the defendant under carefully defined circumstances. This remote testimony provision aims to reduce emotional distress for victims by enabling them to provide testimony in a less intimidating environment while still ensuring the defendant's right to cross-examination. The bill requires that remote testimony methods allow all parties to see and hear each other in real time, and it outlines specific procedures for requesting and approving such testimony, including requirements for notice, court hearings, and protections for both the victim and the defendant's legal rights. The provisions are designed to make the judicial process more accessible and less traumatic for domestic violence victims while maintaining the integrity of legal proceedings.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S634