The bill, H.B. No. 2348, proposes amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding the video recording of depositions for elderly or disabled persons in criminal cases. It introduces new provisions that allow either party to request the court to order the state attorney to take a video-recorded deposition of an elderly or disabled individual. The operator of the video recording must be available to testify about the recording's authenticity for it to be admissible in court. Additionally, if the court determines that showing the entire video would unnecessarily prolong the trial, it may permit the introduction of the video as evidence without requiring the jury to view it in full, although portions can still be played for the jury.

The bill also modifies the existing language concerning the conditions under which depositions can be read or published in criminal actions. It clarifies that depositions cannot be used unless specific conditions are met, such as the witness residing out of state or being unable to attend due to age or infirmity. Furthermore, it specifies that when the deposition is used by the state, the oath can be made by any credible person, while the defendant must make the oath in person if the deposition is used by them. The changes will apply only to criminal proceedings that commence on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.