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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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