Existing law, until January 1, 2026, authorizes a party to appear remotely and a court to conduct conferences, hearings, proceedings, and trials in civil cases, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology. Existing law, until January 1, 2026, allows any juvenile dependency proceeding to be conducted in whole or in part through the use of remote technology subject to certain conditions, including that a witness may appear through remote technology only with the consent of all parties and if the witness has access to appropriate technology.
This bill would exempt parents, children, nonminor dependents, and Indian tribes in juvenile dependency proceedings from obtaining the consent of all parties in order to utilize remote technology for the appearance of an expert witness.