This bill mandates that all family division proceedings be audio and video recorded, with the option to broadcast these proceedings live upon request from involved parties or their representatives. The new section, 490-D:16, specifies that recordings will include all courtroom activities but will not serve as the official transcript; only transcriptions prepared by authorized transcribers will hold that status. Additionally, the bill allows for any individual or media outlet to record proceedings in accordance with existing court rules. The family division is required to broadcast live any non-confidential proceedings if requested, with the presiding judge having the authority to deny the request if it is shown that broadcasting would likely cause irreparable harm to a party or witness.

The bill also stipulates that links to live broadcasts must be made available to the public through the court clerk's office, and copies of the recordings should be accessible in a manner similar to other court file information. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026. However, it does not allocate funding or authorize new positions, with estimated costs for implementation ranging from $604,000 to $984,000 annually, depending on the number of court staff and technology required to support the live-streaming initiative. The Judicial Branch has indicated challenges in estimating these costs due to the need for significant technological upgrades and additional personnel to manage the live-streaming process effectively.