§ 2-125. Taking testimony of a child age twelve (12) years or under in room other than courtroom; recording.
A. This section shall apply only to a proceeding affecting the parent-child, guardian-child or family relationship in which a child twelve (12) years of age or younger is alleged to have been abused and shall apply only to the statement of that child or other child witness.
B. The Court may, on the motion of a party to the proceeding, order that the testimony of the child be taken in a room other than the courtroom and be televised by closed-circuit equipment in the courtroom to be viewed by the Court, the finder of fact and the parties to the proceeding. Only an attorney for each party, the Guardian Ad Litem for the child or other person whose presence would contribute to the welfare and well-being of the child and persons necessary to operate the equipment may be present in the room with the child during his or her testimony. Only the attorneys for the parties may question the child. The persons operating the equipment shall be confined to an adjacent room or behind a screen or mirror that permits them to see and hear the child during his or her testimony but does not permit the child to see or hear them.
C. The Court may, on the motion of a party to the proceeding, order that the testimony of the child be taken outside the courtroom and be recorded for showing in the courtroom before the Court, the finder of fact and the parties to the proceeding. Only those persons permitted to be present at the taking of testimony under subsection (B) of this section may be present during the taking of the child’s testimony. Only the attorney for the parties may question the child and the persons operating the equipment shall be confined from the child’s sight and hearing. The Court shall ensure that:
1. The recording is both visual and aural and is recorded on file or video tape or by other electronic means;
2. The recording equipment is capable of making an accurate recording, the operator of the equipment is competent and the recording is accurate and has not been altered;
3. Every voice on the recording is identified; and
4. Each party to the proceeding is afforded an opportunity to view the recording before it is shown in the courtroom and a copy of a written transcript transcribed by a licensed or certified court reporter is provided to the parties.
D. If the testimony of a child is taken as provided by subsections (B) or (C) of this section, the child shall not be compelled to testify in Court during the proceeding.