Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has announced a proposed constitutional amendment to protect children and individuals with intellectual disabilities in court. Bird, who hosted a press conference in the Iowa Supreme Court Chamber at the State Capitol, was joined by law enforcement, legal professionals, and advocates. The amendment seeks to restore the use of closed-circuit testimony for child victims, which allows them to testify outside the physical presence of their abuser. A recent Iowa Supreme Court decision overturned decades of precedent permitting this method. Iowa is currently the only state that does not allow closed-circuit testimony. Bird says, “As a mom and prosecutor, I will never stop fighting to protect kids. I know how hard it is for kids to be arm’s length in court from the criminal defendants who brutally beat or sexually molested them. Our constitutional amendment will restore closed-circuit testimony to protect kids in court and bring criminals to justice.” Speakers at the press conference included a trafficking survivor, child therapist, and law enforcement officials. The amendment will be introduced to the legislature when its session begins on Jan. 13. For it to pass, it must be agreed to by two consecutive General Assemblies and then ratified by a majority of Iowans.
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