Clause 80

by deleting paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (2) and substituting the following paragraphs:“(b)a child abuse offence;

an offence under section 24(2) of the Children and Young Persons Act (Cap. 38);”;

by deleting paragraph (d) of subsection (2) and substituting the following paragraphs:“(d)a sexual offence;

by inserting, immediately after subsection (2), the following subsection:“(2A) Where a psychiatrist or psychologist has prepared a report on how a witness may be affected if the witness is required to give evidence in the presence of the accused, and that report is placed before the court, the court must consider that report before deciding whether to allow under subsection (1) the evidence of the witness to be given through a live video or live television link.”; and

by deleting subsection (3) and substituting the following subsection:“(3) Despite any provision of this Code or of any other written law, unless the court directs otherwise, while an accused is in remand in Singapore, the accused is to appear before the court through a live video or live television link in any of the following proceedings:

proceedings for an application for bail or release on personal bond at any time after the accused is first produced before a Magistrate pursuant to Article 9(4) of the Constitution;

proceedings for an extension of the remand of the accused under section 238;

proceedings for a State Court to record a plea of guilty from the accused, and to convict the accused;

proceedings in a State Court for the sentencing of the accused, after the conviction of the accused in earlier proceedings;

any other proceedings that the Minister may prescribe by regulations under this section, after consulting the Chief Justice.”.