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.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would give all Rhode Island courts the official authority to hold hearings remotely, meaning judges, attorneys, and individuals involved in a court case could participate by phone or video call instead of being physically present in a courtroom. Under this proposal, showing up virtually would carry the exact same legal weight as appearing in person — decisions made and actions taken during remote hearings would be fully valid and enforceable.

The bill would affect anyone who interacts with the Rhode Island court system, including people involved in civil cases, attorneys, witnesses, and potentially defendants. For many people, this could make it easier and less costly to participate in court proceedings, since they would not need to take time off work, arrange transportation, or travel long distances to a courthouse. It could be especially helpful for people with disabilities, those living far from a courthouse, or individuals with caregiving responsibilities.

Currently, this bill has been introduced and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review, which is the standard first step before a bill can move forward toward a vote. If passed, it would formalize remote court options across all Rhode Island courts in a consistent, legally recognized way — something that became common practice during the COVID-19 pandemic but may not yet have permanent legal standing for all court types.