AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS (Permits all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the same legal effect as in-person appearances.)

S2966

2026 -- S 2966
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LC004288
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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:
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SECTION 1. Title 8 of the General Laws entitled "COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE
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— COURTS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 20
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PERMITTING VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS
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8-20-1. Remote and virtual court appearances permitted.

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Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in all courts of the State of Rhode
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Island including, but not limited to, the supreme court, superior court, family court, district court,
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workers’ compensation court, and traffic tribunal, any hearing, conference, motion, proceeding, or
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other court appearance may be conducted in whole or in part by virtual or remote means, as
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permitted by the court.
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8-20-2. Right to remote participation.

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Any party to a proceeding including, but not limited to, a plaintiff, defendant, respondent,
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witness, or attorney of record, shall be permitted to participate in and appear at any court proceeding
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remotely by using a telephone or video conference connection, subject to reasonable rules and
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procedures adopted by the court to ensure the orderly administration of justice.
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8-20-3. Judicial discretion.

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A court may require an in-person appearance upon a specific finding, stated on the record,
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that a remote appearance would materially prejudice the rights of a party, impair the integrity of

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the proceeding, or otherwise interfere with the fair and efficient administration of justice.
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8-20-4. Equal legal effect.

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An appearance made remotely pursuant to this section shall have the same force and effect
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as an appearance made in person, and no party shall be disadvantaged or prejudiced solely because
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such party or attorney appears remotely.
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8-20-5. Rules and procedures.

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The chief justice or presiding authority of each court may promulgate rules, administrative
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orders, or procedures governing the use of remote or virtual appearances, including standards for
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technology, notice, verification of identity, and the creation of an official record.
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8-20-6. Accessibility.

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Courts shall endeavor to ensure that remote participation options are reasonably accessible
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to self-represented litigants and individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable state and
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federal law.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS -- PERMITTING
VIRTUAL OR REMOTE COURT HEARINGS
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This act would permit all Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and allow any
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party or attorney to appear by telephone or video conference, with remote appearances having the
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same legal effect as in-person appearances.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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