Bill Summary
For a residential eviction action filed in county court, the bill:
Requires that either party may appear in person or remotely at a return, conference, hearing, trial, or other court proceeding;
Authorizes a defendant to send an answer by e-mail or through a secure website;
Allows either party to send a motion or other documents electronically.; and
Requires the court to comply with federal and state law or regulations, including supreme court directive or policy, regarding the provision of accommodation for people with a disability or for people with limited English proficiency.
Courts must notify complainants upon filing a complaint of the option to participate in person or remotely, as well as the option to submit motions or other documents electronically. If a party is appearing remotely and is disconnected, the court must make reasonable efforts to contact the party and wait 60 minutes for the party to reconnect. In the event that the party cannot reestablish connection, the court must reschedule the hearing for the first available in-person date after the original date. A summons must include a statement in bold-faced type informing the defendant that either party has a right to appear remotely and describing how to electronically submit any motions or other documents.
The link to the bill is here.
