Bill Text: TX HB2147 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 2147

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to remotely conducting depositions, hearings, and other proceedings in juvenile cases.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-28 - Filed [HB2147 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB2147-Introduced.html

	89R798 MCF-D

	By: VanDeaver	H.B. No. 2147



	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	repealed.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.