Court Facility Dog For Child Witness Testimony

The bill allows a court, upon motion of a party or upon its own motion, to allow a child witness to testify during trial proceedings while accompanied by a court facility dog.

The bill requires a court facility dog to have graduated from training in providing support to witnesses testifying during trial proceedings without causing a distraction during trial proceedings. The training must be provided by a properly accredited organization.

The bill requires the court to instruct the jury on the role of the court facility dog so that the presence of the court facility dog does not improperly influence the jury.

The bill clarifies that nothing within the bill precludes or interferes with the rights of a qualified individual with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal pursuant to state or federal law.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)