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Bill > SB2359
TN SB2359
TN SB2359AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 24, Chapter 7 and Title 39, relative to victim testimony.
summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, adds a rebuttable presumption that the criteria for a child victim to testify by two-way closed circuit television in a criminal matter involving certain offenses are met if the child is under 13 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 24, Chapter 7 and Title 39.
AI Summary
This bill amends Tennessee law to make it easier for child victims to testify in criminal cases involving certain offenses by allowing them to do so via two-way closed-circuit television (CCTV), which means they can testify from a separate room without being in the same courtroom as the defendant. Specifically, it establishes a "rebuttable presumption" – meaning it's assumed to be true unless proven otherwise – that a child under 13 years old would be traumatized by the defendant's presence and suffer significant emotional distress, making it difficult for them to communicate. This presumption helps meet the criteria for using CCTV testimony, and the judge no longer needs the child to be physically present in court to make this determination, though they must still ensure that using CCTV doesn't unfairly disadvantage the defendant.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 02/05/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2359&ga=114 |
| Fiscal Note - HB2099 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/HB2099.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/SB2359.pdf |
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