The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Child" or "children." An individual or individuals under 16 years of age.

"Contemporaneous alternative method." Any method of capturing the visual images, oral communications and other information presented during a prosecution or adjudication involving a child victim or a child material witness and transmitting and receiving such images, communications and other information at or about the time of their creation, including, but not limited to, closed-circuit television, streaming image sent via the Internet or an intranet and any other devices or systems used to accomplish such ends.

"Minor." An individual who, at the time of the commission of the offense involving sexual or physical abuse, is under 18 years of age.

"Qualified shorthand reporter." An individual engaged in the active practice of general shorthand reporting who is skilled in the art of verbatim reporting by the use of a written shorthand system, whether manual or machine; or any individual who is an official court or legislative reporter; or any individual who is the holder of a certified shorthand reporter certificate mandated by State or Federal law.

(Dec. 18, 1996, P.L.1077, No.161, eff. 60 days; July 15, 2004, P.L.736, No.87, eff. imd.; Dec. 18, 2013, P.L.1181, No.109, eff. 60 days)

2013 Amendment. Act 109 added the def. of "minor."

2004 Amendment. Act 87 added the def. of "contemporaneous alternative method."

1996 Amendment. Act 161 amended the def. of "child" or "children."