S 2565 — Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television; permits judge to make motion to seek closed circuit testimony.

S2565 1R [First Reprint] SENATE, No.

Senators Diegnan, RuizRuiz, Space, Stack, Beach and SpaceA.M.Bucco         SYNOPSIS      Permits victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television;

  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      IntroducedAs Pendingreported Technicalby Reviewthe bySenate LegislativeBudget Counsel.and Appropriations Committee on June 24, 2026, with amendments.

     1.    a.  (1)  In prosecutions for aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal sexual contact, human trafficking [involving sexual activity], a crime involving domestic violence as defined in section 3 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-19), endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.2C:24-4, abuse or neglect of a child pursuant to R.S.9:6-3, or in any action alleging an abused or neglected child under P.L.1974, c.119 (C.9:6-8.21 et seq.), the court may, on motion and after conducting a hearing in camera, 1or in the court’s discretion,1 order the taking of the testimony of a victim or witness on closed circuit television at the trial, out of the view of the jury, defendant, or spectators upon making findings as provided in subsection b.

     (2)  (2)  In granting such an order, the court shall assure that:

     (b)  (b)  the victim or witness will submit to cross-examination by the defendant's attorney;

     c.    c.    A motion seeking closed circuit testimony under subsection a.

     (1)  (1)  The victim or witness or, in the case of a victim or witness who is under the age of 18, the victim's or witness's attorney, parent or legal guardian;

     (2)  (2)  The prosecutor;

[or]      (3)  (3)  The defendant or the defendant's counsel;

or      (4)  (4)  The trial judge on the judge's own motion.

     e.    e.    If testimony is taken on closed circuit television pursuant to the provisions of this section, the video portion of the testimony shall not be recorded and shall not constitute part of the record on appeal.

     (1)  (1)  If the victim or witness is 18 years of age or older at the time of the court proceedings, any recording of the audio portion of the closed circuit testimony shall constitute part of the record on appeal, unless the court orders otherwise for good cause shown upon motion of the parties.

     (2)  (2)  If the victim or witness is under the age of 18 at the time of the court proceedings, any recording of the audio portion of the closed circuit testimony shall not constitute part of the record on appeal and shall be deemed confidential and not available to the public, unless the court orders otherwise for good cause shown upon motion of the parties.

    STATEMENT        This bill would permit all victims and witnesses of human trafficking to testify in criminal proceedings via closed circuit television.  Under current law, victims and witnesses of human trafficking involving sexual activity, among others, are permitted to testify via closed circuit television.  Also under current law, the victim or witness, the prosecutor, or the defendant or their counsel may make a motion seeking closed circuit testimony.  The bill would also permit a trial judge to make a motion.