COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS, the official text

S2966 2026 -- S 2966 ======== LC004288 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS Introduced By: Senators Mack, Acosta, Kallman, Ujifusa, Bell, Quezada, Vargas, and Euer Date Introduced: March 04, 2026 Referred To: Senate Judiciary It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Title 8 of the General Laws entitled COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE 2 — COURTS is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 3 CHAPTER 20 4 PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS 5 8-20-1. Remote and virtual court appearances permitted. 6 Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in all courts of the State of Rhode 7 Island including, but not limited to, the supreme court, superior court, family court, district court, 8 workers’ compensation court, and traffic tribunal, any hearing, conference, motion, proceeding, or 9 other court appearance may be conducted in whole or in part by virtual or remote means, as 10 permitted by the court. 11 8-20-2. Right to remote participation. 12 Any party to a proceeding including, but not limited to, a plaintiff, defendant, respondent, 13 witness, or attorney of record, shall be permitted to participate in and appear at any court proceeding 14 remotely by using a telephone or video conference connection, subject to reasonable rules and 15 procedures adopted by the court to ensure the orderly administration of justice. 16 8-20-3. Judicial discretion. 17 A court may require an in-person appearance upon a specific finding, stated on the record, 18 that a remote appearance would materially prejudice the rights of a party, impair the integrity of 1 the proceeding, or otherwise interfere with the fair and efficient administration of justice. 2 8-20-4. Equal legal effect. 3 An appearance made remotely pursuant to this section shall have the same force and effect 4 as an appearance made in person, and no party shall be disadvantaged or prejudiced solely because 5 such party or attorney appears remotely. 6 8-20-5. Rules and procedures. 7 The chief justice or presiding authority of each court may promulgate rules, administrative 8 orders, or procedures governing the use of remote or virtual appearances, including standards for 9 technology, notice, verification of identity, and the creation of an official record. 10 8-20-6. Accessibility. 11 Courts shall endeavor to ensure that remote participation options are reasonably accessible 12 to self-represented litigants and individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable state and 13 federal law. 14 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC004288 ======== LC004288 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS *** 1 This act would permit all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any 2 party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the 3 same legal effect as in-person appearances. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC004288 ======== LC004288 - Page 3 of 3