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S 2966Civil Procedure

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

This bill grants people the right to attend Rhode Island court hearings remotely via phone or video, with judicial exceptions.

Held for study
Population
Affected
35
Email Legislator
Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation establishes the right for individuals involved in Rhode Island court cases to participate in hearings and proceedings remotely using telephone or video conferencing technology. This applies to all state courts, including the Supreme, Superior, Family, and District courts. While the bill mandates that courts allow remote participation for parties, witnesses, and attorneys, it grants judges the authority to require in-person attendance if appearing remotely would be unfair to a party or harm the integrity of the case. The bill also requires that remote options be accessible to people with disabilities and those representing themselves.

For younger readers

This new law lets people go to court using a computer or phone instead of driving to the courthouse building. Just like you might do a video call for school, people involved in a legal case can talk to the judge and lawyers through a screen. This makes it easier for people who have trouble traveling or leaving their jobs to attend. However, if the judge thinks it is really important for everyone to be in the same room to be fair, they can still make people come to the courthouse in person.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
AttorneysJudges and Court StaffPlaintiffs and DefendantsIndividuals with disabilitiesSelf-represented litigants
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Increases access to justice for low-income populations who often struggle with the costs of transportation, parking, and taking time off work to attend mandatory court dates.
  • Promotes equity for individuals with physical disabilities or mobility issues by allowing them to participate fully in the legal process from their homes without navigating physical barriers.
  • Likely reduces the number of default judgments entered against poor tenants or debtors simply because they could not physically appear in court, ensuring more people have their day in court.
  • Exacerbates the digital divide, as low-income individuals without reliable high-speed internet or modern devices may have a lower quality connection, potentially biasing the court against them compared to well-resourced parties.
  • Risks dehumanizing the judicial process, making it psychologically easier for judges to issue harsh sentences or eviction orders when looking at a screen rather than a human being in the room.
  • Raises privacy concerns regarding the security of third-party video platforms and the potential for sensitive legal proceedings to be easily recorded or hacked.
For Conservatives
  • Increases the efficiency of the judicial system, potentially clearing case backlogs faster and reducing the administrative costs associated with physical court operations.
  • Lowers legal costs for individuals and businesses by reducing the billable hours attorneys spend traveling to and waiting in courthouses for short hearings.
  • Respects individual liberty by offering citizens the choice to attend proceedings in the way that best fits their schedule and needs, rather than mandating government-dictated travel.
  • Erodes the solemnity and traditional decorum of the courtroom, potentially leading to a lack of respect for the rule of law if proceedings are conducted from casual environments.
  • Creates security vulnerabilities regarding identity verification, making it harder to ensure that witnesses are not being coached or that the person on the screen is truly who they claim to be.
  • Increases reliance on technocratic solutions and bureaucracy, giving unelected court administrators more power to set rules regarding technology standards and access.

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.