2 Pa.C.S. § 593
This is the official text of 2 Pa.C.S. § 593, part of Pennsylvania’s Pa.C.S — part of the compiled statutory law of Pennsylvania, published by the state as "Pa.C.S." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Alternative method of testimony.
Official statutory text
(a) Applicability.--In a proceeding before the department, an alternative method of testimony shall be utilized if both of the following apply:
(1) A child is the subject or material witness to a substantiated report of child abuse or sexual abuse or exploitation by a party to a proceeding under this chapter.
(2) An alternative method of testimony is necessary to protect and promote the best interests of the child.
(b) Due process rights.--Nothing in this section is intended to deprive a party to the proceeding of the party's due process rights.
(c) Petition.--A petition on a form developed by the department to utilize the provisions of this section may be made on behalf of the child. The department shall approve or deny the petition. The petition may be made by:
(1) A parent.
(2) A guardian.
(3) A court-appointed special advocate.
(4) An attorney representing the department or a county agency in the proceeding in which the child will testify.
(5) A court-appointed attorney representing the child in any other matter.
(6) Any other individual in loco parentis to the child.
(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term "alternative method of testimony" shall mean a procedural accommodation that will aid a child in providing testimony in a proceeding before the department. The accommodation may include, but not be limited to:
(1) Allowing the child access to a person, animal or object to provide emotional support or mitigate emotional trauma to the child during the proceeding.
(2) A contemporaneous alternative method of testimony as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 5982 (relating to definitions).
(3) Other nontraditional methods of taking testimony as necessary to provide emotional support or mitigate emotional trauma to the child.
(1) A child is the subject or material witness to a substantiated report of child abuse or sexual abuse or exploitation by a party to a proceeding under this chapter.
(2) An alternative method of testimony is necessary to protect and promote the best interests of the child.
(b) Due process rights.--Nothing in this section is intended to deprive a party to the proceeding of the party's due process rights.
(c) Petition.--A petition on a form developed by the department to utilize the provisions of this section may be made on behalf of the child. The department shall approve or deny the petition. The petition may be made by:
(1) A parent.
(2) A guardian.
(3) A court-appointed special advocate.
(4) An attorney representing the department or a county agency in the proceeding in which the child will testify.
(5) A court-appointed attorney representing the child in any other matter.
(6) Any other individual in loco parentis to the child.
(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term "alternative method of testimony" shall mean a procedural accommodation that will aid a child in providing testimony in a proceeding before the department. The accommodation may include, but not be limited to:
(1) Allowing the child access to a person, animal or object to provide emotional support or mitigate emotional trauma to the child during the proceeding.
(2) A contemporaneous alternative method of testimony as defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 5982 (relating to definitions).
(3) Other nontraditional methods of taking testimony as necessary to provide emotional support or mitigate emotional trauma to the child.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
Need a lawyer in Pennsylvania?
Find a Pennsylvania lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.