Deuter supports HB3393 to revise testimony rules for certain victims in Illinois criminal cases
Rep. Martha Deuter (D-45th) cast a Yes vote for HB3393, a measure aimed at updating testimony procedures for certain crime victims, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, with the Illinois House recording a 115-0 outcome in favor of the bill.
The bill's official summary describes it as: "CRIM PRO--SPEEDY TRIAL TOLL."
The following analysis is based on the exact wording of the bill and clarifies the intent behind its provisions.
HB3393 updates the Illinois Code of Criminal Procedure, targeting how testimony is given by certain victims in specific criminal proceedings. The bill removes the default requirement for victims under 13 to testify outside the courtroom via closed-circuit television. Instead, judges can order out-of-court testimony if a minor under 18 or a person with specific disabilities would experience severe emotional distress appearing in court. If such an order is not granted, prosecutors may request a 30-day pause on speedy trial rules to reconsider. The legislation also details who may be present, permits electronic communication for defendants, and requires confirmation that the changes do not unfairly impact the defendant. These modifications take effect for eligible cases after the bill becomes law.
The legislative action listed for HB3393 was 'Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs'.
Deuter earned a BSW from Ohio University in 1995.
Deuter, a Democrat, began representing Illinois' 45th House District in 2025, succeeding Jenn Ladisch Douglass in the State House.
Advancement of bills in Illinois follows a multi-step legislative process beginning with introduction in either chamber, followed by committee review, floor debates, votes in both the House and Senate, and concluding with the governor's approval or veto. The General Assembly functions on a two-year cycle, with thousands of bills introduced every session, though only a portion complete the process and are enacted into law.