Bill Text: TX HB4081 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to allowing the option of remote conduct in court proceedings.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-29 - Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence [HB4081 Detail]
Download: Texas-2021-HB4081-Introduced.html
By: Crockett | H.B. No. 4081 |
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relating to allowing the option of remote conduct in court | ||
proceedings. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. 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, juror, or other individual, attends the | ||
proceeding remotely through the use of technology and the Internet, | ||
including through teleconferencing or videoconferencing. | ||
(b) A court shall: | ||
(1) allow anyone involved in any hearing, deposition, | ||
or other proceeding of any kind including-but not limited-to a | ||
party, attorney, witness, or court reporter to participate by | ||
remote proceeding without the consent of the parties unless the | ||
United States or Texas Constitution requires consent. | ||
(c) The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial | ||
System shall provide guidance and assistance to the extent possible | ||
to a court conducting a remote proceeding involving a jury. | ||
(d) The judge 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |