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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to allowing the option of remote conduct in court |
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proceedings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. 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, juror, 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 court shall: |
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(1) allow anyone involved in any hearing, deposition, |
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or other proceeding of any kind including-but not limited-to a |
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party, attorney, witness, or court reporter to participate by |
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remote proceeding without the consent of the parties unless the |
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United States or Texas Constitution requires consent. |
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(c) The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial |
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System shall provide guidance and assistance to the extent possible |
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to a court conducting a remote proceeding involving a jury. |
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(d) The judge shall submit to the Office of Court |
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Administration of the Texas Judicial System a plan for conducting |
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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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |