SB 2942

Abstract

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution for a criminal offense defined in the Sex Offense Article of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 or for criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse when the alleged victim of the offense was under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, the court may exclude from the proceedings while the victim is testifying, regardless of the alleged victim's age at the time of the victim's courtroom testimony, all persons, who, in the opinion of the court, do not have a direct interest in the case, except the media. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that for the purposes of excluding disinterested parties, the court shall enter its finding that parties are disinterested and the basis for that finding into the record. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that when the court publishes to the trier of fact videos, photographs, or any depiction of a minor under 18 years of age engaged in a sex act, the court may exclude from the proceedings all persons, who in the opinion of the court, do not have a direct interest in the case, except the media.