38 Children’s Legal Rights Journal [Vol. 36: 1 2016]
Louisiana No Utah Yes – Case Law
Mother, victim advocate;
person who victim first
reported abuse
Maine No Vermont No
Maryland Yes – Case Law
Clergy
Virginia Yes – Statute
General support person
Massachusetts No Washington Yes – Statute
Victim advocate
Michigan Yes – Statute
General support person
West Virginia Yes – Case Law
Sitting in foster mother’s
lap
Minnesota Yes – Statute
General support person
Wisconsin Yes – Case Law
Sitting in grandmother’s lap
Mississippi No Wyoming Yes – Statute
Victim advocate; GAL
Missouri Yes – Statute
General support person
Notes: ( 1) GAL = Guardian Ad Litem, an attorney, assigned by the state, to represent the child
( 2) States with multiple types of support persons listed have ruled on multiple cases regarding this issue
