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2018 SESSION

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18104420D
HOUSE BILL NO. 482 Offered January 10, 2018 Prefiled January 8, 2018 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-67.9:1, relating to witness testimony accompanied by certified facility dogs. ---------- Patron-- Bell, Robert B. ---------- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-67.9:1 as follows:

§ 18.2-67.9:1. Use of a certified facility dog for testimony in a criminal proceeding.

A. As used in this section, "certified facility dog" means a dog that has completed training or been certified by a program of an assistance dog organization to perform the duty of providing emotional support to people in high-stress environments and that is accompanied by a duly trained handler.

B. In any criminal proceeding, including preliminary hearings, the attorney for the Commonwealth or the defendant may apply for an order from the court allowing a certified facility dog to be present with a witness testifying before the court through in-person testimony or testimony televised by two-way closed-circuit television pursuant to § 18.2-67.9.

C. The court may enter an order authorizing a dog to accompany a witness while testifying at a hearing in accordance with subsection B if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that:

1. The dog to be used qualifies as a certified facility dog;

2. There is an established relationship between the testifying witness and the proposed certified facility dog; and

3. The use of a certified facility dog will aid the witness in providing his testimony.

D. The party seeking such order shall apply for the order at least 14 days before the preliminary hearing, trial date, or other hearing to which the order is to apply.

E. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the court from providing any other accommodations to a witness as provided by law.