The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed a measure that prohibits crime victims from being excluded from any criminal or juvenile proceedings, unless the court decides the victim’s testimony would be “materially altered” if they heard other testimony at the proceeding.

The amendment furthers that before prohibiting a victim from attending, the court should make every effort to allow full attendance by the victim and consider “reasonable alternatives to the exclusion of the victim” and the “reason for any exclusion shall be clearly stated on the record.”