88R3088 MCF-D     By: Perry S.B. No. 1992       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  Section 54.012(b), Family Code, is repealed.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.