bill lets juvenile courts go remote without consent

The text as introduced · 311 words

89R798 MCF-D

By: Perry
S.B. No. 299

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to remotely conducting depositions, hearings, and other

proceedings in juvenile cases.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 51, Family Code, is amended by adding

Section 51.055 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.055. REMOTE CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS. (a) In this

section, "remote proceeding" means a proceeding in which one or

more of the participants, including a judge, party, attorney,

witness, court reporter, or other individual, attends the

proceeding remotely through the use of technology and the Internet,

including through teleconferencing or videoconferencing.

(b) A juvenile court may:

(1) conduct a hearing or other proceeding under this

title as a remote proceeding without the consent of the parties

unless the United States or Texas Constitution requires consent;

and

(2) allow or require a party, attorney, witness, court

reporter, or any other individual to participate in a remote

proceeding, including a deposition, hearing, or other proceeding

under this title.

(c) The judge of a juvenile court shall submit to the Office

of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System a plan for

conducting remote proceedings under this title. The plan must:

(1) include protocols for handling physical evidence;

and

(2) require an unobstructed view of any party or

witness who provides testimony from a remote location.

SECTION 2. Section 54.012(e), Family Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(e) In this section, "remote proceeding" has the meaning

assigned by Section 51.055 [ means a proceeding in which one or more

of the participants, including a judge, party, attorney, witness,

court reporter, or other individual, attends the proceeding

remotely through the use of technology and the Internet, including

through teleconferencing or videoconferencing ].

SECTION 3. Sections 54.012(a-1) and (a-2), Family Code, are

repealed.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.