An Arkansas House committee Thursday approved an amendment to a bill that previously cleared the full chamber to allow children testifying in criminal court proceedings to have a trained dog with them.
The House earlier this month voted 92-0 to pass House Bill 1855, which would be known as the Courthouse Dogs Child Witness Support Act if it ultimately becomes law.
The bill is aimed at reducing a child's emotional discomfort during testimony in criminal proceedings that could be stressful.
The state Senate on Tuesday voted 33-0 to pass it after adding an amendment that made some changes to the legislation. Among them, it added requirements that the dog receive two years of training and pass the same test a service dog would be required to take and that the jury receive appropriate instructions "to prevent prejudice for or against any party."
The amended version of the bill also stipulates that the dog have graduated from an organization such as Assistance Dogs International, which trains dogs to reduce "stress in a child witness by enhancing the ability of the child witness to speak in a judicial proceeding by providing emotional comfort in a high stress environment."
The House Judiciary Committee concurred in the Senate amendment Thursday on a voice vote, sending the amendment to the full chamber for final approval.
Rep. Rebecca Petty, R-Rogers, is the bill's lead sponsor.
