R277-212-12. Testimony of a Minor Victim or Witness

  (1) For purposes of this section, a "minor victim or witness" is an individual who is less than 18 years old at the time of hearing.

  (2) If a case involves allegations of child abuse or of a sexual offense against a minor under applicable federal or state law, either party, a member of the hearing panel, or the hearing officer, may request that a minor victim or witness be allowed to testify outside of the respondent's presence.

  (3) If the hearing officer determines that a minor victim or witness would suffer undue emotional or mental harm, or that the minor victim or witness's testimony in the presence of the respondent would be unreliable, the minor victim or witness's testimony may be admitted as described in this section.

  (4) An oral statement of a minor victim or witness that is recorded prior to the filing of a complaint is admissible as evidence in a hearing regarding the offense if:

  (a) no attorney for either party is in the minor victim or witness's presence when the statement is recorded;

  (b) the recording is visual and aural and is recorded;

  (c) the recording equipment is capable of making an accurate recording;

  (d) the operator of the equipment is competent;

  (e) the recording is accurate and has not been altered; and

  (f) each voice in the recording is identified.

  (5) The testimony of a minor victim or witness may be taken in a room other than the hearing room, and may be transmitted by closed circuit equipment to another room where it can be viewed by the respondent if:

  (a) only the hearing panel members, attorneys for each party, persons necessary to operate equipment, and a person approved by the hearing officer whose presence contributes to the welfare and emotional well-being of the minor victim or witness may be with the minor victim or witness during the testimony;

  (b) the respondent is not present during the minor victim or witness's testimony;

  (c) the hearing officer ensures that the minor victim or witness cannot hear or see the respondent;

  (d) the respondent is permitted to observe and hear, but not communicate with the minor victim or witness; and

  (e) only hearing panel members, the hearing officer, and the attorneys question the minor victim or witness.

  (6)(a) If a witness testifies under circumstances described in Subsection (5), a pro se educator, may submit written questions to the hearing officer to ask on the educator's behalf.

  (b) A hearing officer shall take appropriate recesses to ensure a pro se educator is allowed to ask all needed follow up questions.

  (7) If the hearing officer determines that the testimony of a minor victim or witness may be taken consistent with Subsections (2) through (5), the minor victim or witness may not be required to testify in any proceeding where the recorded testimony is used.