Senate Bill 448 proposes an amendment to the statutes regarding the use of videoconferencing technology in certain civil actions, specifically addressing the rights of respondents in involuntary commitment and protective placement proceedings. Under current law, defendants and respondents are entitled to be physically present during their trials and related hearings. If they object to the use of videoconferencing in proceedings where they have a right to attend in person, the court must sustain that objection. However, the bill introduces a new exception that allows the court to exercise discretion regarding objections to expert witness testimony delivered via videoconference technology in specific cases, even if the respondent is entitled to be present.

The bill amends section 885.60 (2) (d) of the statutes by deleting the requirement that the court must sustain objections related to expert witness testimony in certain civil matters, thereby allowing for more flexibility in how such objections are handled. The new language clarifies that for objections concerning expert witness testimony in matters under chapters 51 or 55, the court can determine the objection based on its discretion, aligning with the criteria set forth in section 885.56. This change aims to facilitate the use of videoconferencing technology while still considering the rights of respondents in sensitive legal proceedings.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 885.60(2)(d), 885.60