SB 5885: Creating an exemption to hearsay for child sex trafficking victims

SB 5885 allows for the admissibility of testimony of children in evidence in dependency and criminal proceedings, including juvenile offense adjudications.

Furthermore, and most importantly, SB 5885 allows for admissibility of testimony by a child when they are under the age of 16 that describes any act of trafficking under RCW 94A.40.100 performed with or on the child or that described any attempted act of trafficking under RCW 9A.40.100 with or on the child.

Amendments:

Updated on 4.12.19:

1^st substitute:

• Crimes associated with the commercial sexual abuse of a minor are added to those crimes for which a hearsay exemption is allowed for minors under the age of sixteen.