TO:	Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB698 by Neave Criado (Relating to the remote participation of certain persons in a proceeding for the issuance or modification of a protective order.), As Introduced

General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:

All Funds, Five-Year Impact:

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Family Code to require a court, upon written request, to provide a method for protective order applicants and witnesses to participate remotely in a hearing on the application for a protective order.  The bill would allow the court to deny the request if it makes a finding that there is good cause to do so.  The bill would also apply to hearings on modifications of protective orders.

Methodology

During the COVID pandemic, the Office of Court Administration (OCA) began providing licenses to courts for remote proceedings upon request. Based on information provided by OCA, this analysis assumes that $336,000 in General Revenue would be needed each fiscal year to provide the technology and/or licenses for remote platforms to 3,200 judicial officers and their support staff to implement the provisions of the bill. Information provided by OCA indicates that approximately one-third of the courts that would be required to provide remote proceedings currently use an OCA license.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.