Testimony of children

(a) Procedures for taking the testimony of children. — Rules 8 and 9 of the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings shall govern the taking of testimony of children. (b) Motion to offer the testimony of a child. — A motion to offer the testimony of a child under the age of 14 shall be in writing; and shall be filed with the circuit clerk, provided to the court, and served on all parties not less than 20 days before the hearing. The court shall rule on the motion no later than five days prior to the hearing. (c) Response to a motion to offer the testimony of a child. — Any response to a motion to offer the testimony of a child under the age of 14 shall be in writing, and shall be filed with the circuit clerk, provided to the court, and served on all parties within not less than ten days before the hearing. [Amended by order entered and effective December 1, 2005.]