§ 23A-24-10 — Certified therapeutic dogs--Definitions.

In any criminal proceeding, upon motion of any party as provided in § 23A-24-11, the court may enter any order necessary to allow a child witness or a witness having a developmental disability to be accompanied by a certified therapeutic dog during the witness' testimony in the manner provided in § 23A-24-12. Terms used in §§ to 23A-24-12, inclusive, mean: (1) "Certified therapeutic dog," a dog that has received the requisite training or certification and is registered with Therapy Dogs Incorporated, Therapy Dogs International, Assistance Dogs International, or an equivalent organization to perform the duties associated with therapy dogs in places such as hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities where the emotional benefits of therapy dogs are recognized; (2) "Certified handler," a person who has received training and is registered with Therapy Dogs Incorporated, Therapy Dogs International, Assistance Dogs International, or an equivalent organization for offering the person's animal for assistance purposes and has received additional training on the protocols and policies of courts, the expected roles of the person's animal assistance team, and the expected interaction so as not to interfere with the collection of evidence or the effective administration of justice; (3) "Child witness," a person who has been or will be called to testify in a criminal proceeding and is under the age of eighteen; and (4) "Developmental disability," the meaning provided in § 27B-1-18 .

Legislative History

SL 2020, ch 102, § 1.