88R3088 MCF-D
 
  By: VanDeaver H.B. No. 422
 
 
 
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, juror, 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, juror, or any other individual to participate in a remote
  proceeding, including a deposition, hearing, or other proceeding
  under this title.
         (c)  The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
  System shall provide guidance and assistance to the extent possible
  to a juvenile court conducting a remote proceeding involving a
  jury.
         (d)  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(a), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A detention hearing under Section 54.01 may be held
  using interactive video equipment if[:
               [(1)  the child and the child's attorney agree to the
  video hearing; and
               [(2)]  the parties to the proceeding have the
  opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.  Consent of the parties is
  not required for the detention hearing to be held in the manner
  specified by this subsection unless the United States or Texas
  Constitution requires consent.
         SECTION 3.  Section 54.012(b), Family Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.