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Bill

SB 274

Criminal Procedure - Child Victims - Testimony in Child Abuse Cases

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Charles and 9 co-sponsors

Maryland law now provides procedural accommodations for child abuse victims testifying in criminal cases to reduce trauma while preserving fair trial standards.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 151
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Bill Summary · SB 274

Legislative bill overview

SB 274 modifies criminal procedure rules in Maryland to better accommodate child victims testifying in abuse cases. The bill likely creates accommodations such as allowing protective measures during testimony, victim support persons present during proceedings, or alternative testimony methods to reduce trauma. These procedural changes aim to make the legal process less harmful for child witnesses while maintaining fair trial protections.

Why is this important

Child abuse cases depend heavily on victim testimony, but traditional courtroom procedures can re-traumatize young witnesses and reduce testimony quality. States that implement child-friendly testimony procedures report improved victim cooperation, more complete testimony, and better prosecution outcomes. Maryland's approach balances protecting vulnerable witnesses with defendants' constitutional rights to confront accusers.

Potential points of contention

  • Defendant rights vs. witness protection: Critics argue some accommodations (like screens blocking defendant view or closed-circuit testimony) may infringe on constitutional confrontation rights, though courts have upheld limited measures
  • Implementation consistency: Questions about whether all judges will apply protections uniformly or if training/resources adequately support new procedures
  • Scope of "child abuse": Disagreement over which cases qualify and what age thresholds apply, potentially affecting who receives protections

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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