87R3895 EAS-F     By: Menéndez S.B. No. 759       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the use of remote technology when conducting probate or   guardianship proceedings.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 53, Estates Code, is   amended by adding Section 53.108 to read as follows:          Sec. 53.108.  USE OF REMOTE TECHNOLOGY IN PROBATE   PROCEEDINGS. (a)  In this section, "remote technology" includes   teleconference and videoconference technology.          (b)  A probate proceeding conducted through remote   technology is considered to be conducted in open court. Testimony   provided through remote technology in a probate proceeding is   considered to be taken in open court. A decision, order, decree, or   judgment rendered through remote technology in a probate proceeding   is considered to be rendered in open court.           (c)  A court that conducts a probate proceeding through   remote technology must:                (1)  ensure that the public maintains access to the   proceeding; and                (2)  establish and make readily available to the   parties and the public guidelines regarding the conduct of probate   proceedings through remote technology.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 1053, Estates Code, is   amended by adding Section 1053.106 to read as follows:          Sec. 1053.106.  USE OF REMOTE TECHNOLOGY IN GUARDIANSHIP   PROCEEDINGS. (a)  In this section, "remote technology" includes   teleconference and videoconference technology.          (b)  A guardianship proceeding conducted through remote   technology is considered to be conducted in open court. Testimony   provided through remote technology in a guardianship proceeding is   considered to be taken in open court. A decision, order, decree, or   judgment rendered through remote technology in a guardianship   proceeding is considered to be rendered in open court.          (c)  A court that conducts a guardianship proceeding through   remote technology must:                (1)  ensure that the public maintains access to the   proceeding; and                (2)  establish and make readily available to the   parties and the public guidelines regarding the conduct of   guardianship proceedings through remote technology.          SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to a   probate or guardianship proceeding that is pending on, or commenced   on or after, the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.