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.
