HB1364: Closed preliminary hearings; child pornography, etc., case.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1364

Offered January 11, 2018
A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-67.8 of the Code of Virginia, relating to closed preliminary hearings.
Patron-- Toscano
Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 18.2-67.8 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 18.2-67.8. Closed preliminary hearings.

In preliminary hearings for offenses charged under this article or under §§ 18.2-361, 18.2-366, 18.2-370 or §, 18.2-370.1, 18.2-374.1, 18.2-374.1:1, 18.2-374.3, or 18.2-386.1, the court may, on its own motion or at the request of the Commonwealth, the complaining witness, the accused, or their counsel, exclude from the courtroom all persons except officers of the court and persons whose presence, in the judgment of the court, would be supportive of the complaining witness or the accused and would not impair the conduct of a fair hearing.