CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 882

Introduced by Senator Rubio

January 13, 2026

An act relating to courts.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 882, as introduced, Rubio. Remote court appearances.
Existing law establishes specified procedures and requirements for remote appearances for court proceedings in civil and criminal actions.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to require courts to allow any party or witness to appear remotely at a civil or criminal state court hearing, trial, or conference, except as specified, until January 31, 2029.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 This act shall be known, and may be cited as, the Keep Courts Safe from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Act.

SEC. 2.

 (a) The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(1) Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, California courts have acquired over five years of experience utilizing technology to allow for remote court appearances. According to a 2025 report by the Judicial Council of California, over 6,500 remote hearings take place every day and 90 percent of participants had an overall positive experience. Vulnerable court users, such as victims of domestic violence and elder abuse, have reported reduced anxiety and stress by not having to appear in court with the perpetrator.
(2) Since January, 2025, there has been a dramatic increase in federal immigration enforcement operations across the state. California residents have been consistently targeted and their rights have been indiscriminately violated by federal immigration enforcement agents conducting operations at state courthouses.
(3) All California residents should have the opportunity to safely and effectively exercise their legal rights and participate in the justice system.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require courts to allow any party or witness to appear remotely at a civil or criminal state court hearing, trial, or conference, except as specified, until January 31, 2029.