H 8328Civil Procedure

Courts and Civil Procedure - Courts - Permitting Virtual or Remote Court Hearings

This bill permits Rhode Island courts to conduct hearings remotely and gives individuals the right to participate via video or phone.

Held for study

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Affected

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Introduced Mar 20, 2026Committee House Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation allows all courts in Rhode Island, including the Supreme, Superior, Family, and District courts, to conduct hearings and proceedings remotely using technology like telephone or video conferencing. It establishes a right for parties involved in a case—such as plaintiffs, defendants, and attorneys—to participate remotely. A judge can only require a person to appear in person if there is a specific finding that a remote appearance would be unfair or harm the legal process. The bill ensures remote appearances have the same legal standing as in-person ones and mandates accessibility for all users.

For younger readers

This new law lets people go to court using a computer or phone instead of driving to the courthouse building. If someone needs to talk to a judge or a lawyer during a case, they can do it on a video call or over the phone. The judge has to let them do this unless there is a very special reason why they must be there in the room to make sure everything is fair. This makes it easier for people to handle court business from home, and it counts just the same as being there in person.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

AttorneysJudges and Court StaffPlaintiffs and DefendantsSelf-represented LitigantsWitnesses

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Moderate risk

There is a moderate constitutional risk regarding the Sixth Amendment's Confrontation Clause. While the bill allows judges to require in-person appearances to prevent prejudice, creating a statutory "right" for witnesses to appear remotely could conflict with a criminal defendant's constitutional right to physically confront their accusers. If a judge permits a key witness to testify remotely over a defendant's objection without a specific, compelling necessity, it could lead to appeals and reversals.

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Significantly increases access to justice for low-income individuals, working parents, and those without reliable transportation by removing the logistical and financial burdens of physically traveling to a courthouse.
Helps reduce "failure to appear" warrants and subsequent incarcerations for minor offenses, as individuals are less likely to miss court dates due to work conflicts or childcare issues when they can attend remotely.
Ensures that individuals with disabilities and health concerns can participate fully in the legal system without navigating physical barriers or exposing themselves to health risks in crowded public buildings.
May exacerbate the "digital divide," where low-income individuals without high-speed internet or reliable devices face technical difficulties that could negatively bias a judge or jury against them compared to those with better resources.
Risks the dehumanization of defendants in criminal and family proceedings, as it is more difficult for decision-makers to develop empathy for a person on a screen compared to someone physically present in the room.
Could compromise the privacy and confidentiality of sensitive legal matters if participants do not have access to a private, secure space to attend the remote hearing, potentially exposing them to coercion or eavesdropping.

For Conservatives

Increases the efficiency of the judicial system, allowing courts to process cases faster and clear backlogs, which ultimately respects the taxpayer by optimizing government resources.
Reduces costs for businesses involved in litigation by cutting down on billable travel time for attorneys and allowing professionals to return to work immediately after a hearing.
Ensures the continuity of the rule of law and court operations during emergencies, ensuring that the justice system remains functional even if physical infrastructure is inaccessible.
Undermines the solemnity and traditional gravity of the courtroom, potentially leading to a lack of respect for judicial authority and the seriousness of legal proceedings.
Raises significant security concerns regarding identity verification, making it easier for individuals to commit fraud, impersonate others, or be coached by unseen third parties during testimony.
Potentially infringes on the constitutional right to confront accusers face-to-face, as video mediation obscures non-verbal cues and physical presence that are essential for assessing credibility in serious disputes.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 27 additions

SECTION 1. Title 8 of the General Laws entitled "COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE — COURTS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 8-20-1. Remote and virtual court appearances permitted. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in all courts of the State of Rhode Island including, but not limited to, the supreme court, superior court, family court, district court, workers’ compensation court, and traffic tribunal, any hearing, conference, motion, proceeding, or other court appearance may be conducted in whole or in part by virtual or remote means, as permitted by the court. 8-20-2. Right to remote participation. Any party to a proceeding including, but not limited to, a plaintiff, defendant, respondent, witness, or attorney of record, shall be permitted to participate in and appear at any court proceeding remotely by using a telephone or video conference connection, subject to reasonable rules and procedures adopted by the court to ensure the orderly administration of justice. 8-20-3. Judicial discretion. A court may require an in-person appearance upon a specific finding, stated on the record, that a remote appearance would materially prejudice the rights of a party, impair the integrity of the proceeding, or otherwise interfere with the fair and efficient administration of justice. 8-20-4. Equal legal effect. An appearance made remotely pursuant to this section shall have the same force and effect as an appearance made in person, and no party shall be disadvantaged or prejudiced solely because such party or attorney appears remotely. 8-20-5. Rules and procedures. The chief justice or presiding authority of each court may promulgate rules, administrative orders, or procedures governing the use of remote or virtual appearances, including standards for technology, notice, verification of identity, and the creation of an official record. 8-20-6. Accessibility. Courts shall endeavor to ensure that remote participation options are reasonably accessible to self-represented litigants and individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable state and federal law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.