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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to remotely conducting depositions, hearings, and other |
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proceedings in juvenile cases. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 51, Family Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 51.055 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.055. REMOTE CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS. (a) In this |
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section, "remote proceeding" means a proceeding in which one or |
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more of the participants, including a judge, party, attorney, |
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witness, court reporter, or other individual, attends the |
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proceeding remotely through the use of technology and the Internet, |
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including through teleconferencing or videoconferencing. |
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(b) A juvenile court may: |
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(1) conduct a hearing or other proceeding under this |
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title as a remote proceeding without the consent of the parties |
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unless the United States or Texas Constitution requires consent; |
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and |
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(2) allow or require a party, attorney, witness, court |
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reporter, or any other individual to participate in a remote |
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proceeding, including a deposition, hearing, or other proceeding |
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under this title. |
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(c) The judge of a juvenile court shall submit to the Office |
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of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System a plan for |
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conducting remote proceedings under this title. The plan must: |
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(1) include protocols for handling physical evidence; |
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and |
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(2) require an unobstructed view of any party or |
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witness who provides testimony from a remote location. |
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SECTION 2. Section 54.012(e), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(e) In this section, "remote proceeding" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 51.055 [means a proceeding in which one or more |
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of the participants, including a judge, party, attorney, witness, |
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court reporter, or other individual, attends the proceeding |
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remotely through the use of technology and the Internet, including |
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through teleconferencing or videoconferencing]. |
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SECTION 3. Sections 54.012(a-1) and (a-2), Family Code, are |
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repealed. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |