Bill Text: CA AB170 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Bill 170

Bill Title: Courts.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Passed) 2024-07-02 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 51, Statutes of 2024. [AB170 Detail]

Download: California-2023-AB170-Chaptered.html

Assembly Bill No. 170

CHAPTER 51

An act to amend Section 6304 of the Business and Professions Code, to amend Sections 367.75 and 367.76 of, and to amend and repeal Section 367.8 of, the Code of Civil Procedure, to amend Sections 68502.5 and 71651.1 of, to amend, repeal, and add Section 68661.1 of, and to add and repeal Section 68661.5 of, the Government Code, to amend Sections 977, 977.3, and 1043.5 of the Penal Code, and to amend Section 679.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to courts, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget.

[ Approved by Governor July 02, 2024. Filed with Secretary of State July 02, 2024. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 170, Committee on Budget. Courts.

(1) Existing law creates a board of law library trustees in every county, which governs the law library established for the county. Under existing law, a board of law library trustees is required to meet regularly every month on any appointed day, as specified.

This bill would revise the monthly meeting requirement to instead require the board of law library trustees to meet quarterly.

(2) Existing law authorizes, until January 1, 2026, 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 additionally authorizes, until January 1, 2026, the use of remote technology, as defined, for other types of proceedings, including, among others, proceedings regarding the involuntary treatment and conservatorship of gravely disabled persons under specified provisions, contempt proceedings, and competency proceedings. Existing law specifies certain circumstances in which remote technology cannot be used.

Existing law generally allows, until January 1, 2025, upon a defendant’s waiver of the right to be physically present, criminal proceedings to be conducted through the use of remote technology. Commencing on January 1, 2025, existing law authorizes a court to permit the initial court appearance and arraignment of a defendant held in any state, county, or local facility, under specified circumstances, to be conducted by 2-way electronic audiovideo communication between the defendant and the courtroom in lieu of the defendant’s physical presence.

This bill would extend these provisions until January 1, 2027.

Existing law authorizes, until January 1, 2025, a witness in a criminal proceeding to testify using remote technology, except for felony trials, with the written or oral consent of the parties on the record and the consent of the court.

This bill would extend these provisions until January 1, 2027. The bill would also authorize a defendant to withdraw, at any time upon finding of good cause, a waiver to have a witness testify in person on the record. The bill would specify the general form that a written waiver of a witness’s physical presence at a misdemeanor jury trial must follow.

(3) Existing law requires each superior court to report to the Judicial Council on or before October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, and the Judicial Council to report to the Legislature on or before December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, to assess the impact of technology issues or problems affecting remote proceedings, and all purchases and leases of technology or equipment to facilitate remote conferences, hearings, or proceedings.

This bill would require each superior court to report additional specified information to the Judicial Council on or before October 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, and the Judicial Council to report to the Legislature on or before December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter. The bill would require, by October 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the court executive officer of each superior court to certify to the Judicial Council, in a form and manner determined by the Judicial Council, that each courtroom of the superior court in which the court is conducting a remote proceeding meets the minimum standards for remote technology, as specified, and would require the Judicial Council to report that information to the Legislature. The bill would repeal these provisions as of January 1, 2027.

(4) Existing law requires the Judicial Council to adopt a budget and allocate funding for trial courts. Existing law requires the Judicial Council to hold $10,000,000 in reserves in the Trial Court Trust Fund to be available to trial courts for emergencies. Existing law requires the Judicial Council to annually report to the Legislature regarding the use of those funds, as specified.

This bill would decrease the required amount for the Judicial Council to hold in reserve to $5,000,000. The bill would also specify that the Judicial Council is not required to submit the annual report for a fiscal year pursuant to these provisions if there are no requests from trial courts, or allocations made by the Judicial Council, from the Trial Court Trust Fund in that fiscal year.

(5) Existing law creates the California Habeas Corpus Resource Center and specifies the general powers and duties to include employing attorneys who may be appointed to represent any person convicted and sentenced to death, as specified. Existing law requires the Judicial Council and the Supreme Court to adopt competency standards for the appointment of counsel in death penalty direct appeals and habeas corpus proceedings.

This bill would additionally authorize, until July 1, 2029, attorneys for the California Habeas Corpus Resource Center to represent any person sentenced to life without the possibility of parole who is indigent and without counsel, as specified.

(6) Existing law prohibits, until January 1, 2026, a trial court from retaliating against an official court reporter or official court reporter pro tempore for notifying a judicial officer that technology or audibility issues are interfering with the creation of the verbatim record of a remote proceeding.

This bill would extend these provisions until January 1, 2027.

(7) Existing law allows a defendant in a misdemeanor case to appear by counsel, except as specified. Until January 1, 2025, existing law allows a court to conduct all proceedings, except jury and court trials, remotely through the use of remote technology if a defendant agrees. Existing law requires a defendant in a felony case to be physically present at the time of plea, during the preliminary hearing, during those portions of the trial when evidence is taken before the trier of fact, and at the time of the imposition of sentence. Existing law, until January 1, 2025, requires a defendant to be physically or remotely present at all other proceedings, unless the defendant waives their right to be physically or remotely present with leave of the court and approval by the defendant’s counsel.

This bill would extend these provisions until July 1, 2030. The bill would also require the court to require any party, witness, or attorney who participates remotely in a criminal proceeding to conduct themselves as if they were appearing physically in the courtroom, and require any person speaking on the record to have their name displayed or to state their name. The bill would require, by April 1, 2025, the Judicial Council to adopt and courts to implement by July 1, 2025, minimum standards for courtroom technology necessary to permit remote participating in criminal proceedings, as specified.

Existing law, until January 1, 2025, authorizes the court to allow a prosecuting attorney or defense counsel to participate in a criminal proceeding through the use of remote technology, requires a court to require a prosecuting attorney, defense counsel, defendant, or witness to appear in person at a proceeding under specified circumstances, including when the quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding inhibits the court reporter’s ability to accurately prepare a transcript of the proceeding, and requires a reporter to be physically present in the courtroom when the court conducts a remote proceeding that is reported.

This bill would extend these provisions until July 1, 2030. The bill would also require a court to require a prosecuting attorney, defense counsel, defendant, or witnesses in a proceeding to be physically present if the quality of the technology or audibility inhibits the court reporter’s ability to accurately certify a transcript of the proceeding. The bill would require, when the court conducts a remote proceeding reported by an official reporter or an official reporter pro tempore, for the reporter to be physically present in the same room as the judicial officer unless doing so would cause a significant delay that would prejudice the parties, in which case the reporter must be physically present in a court facility. The bill would require, if the reporter is not in the same room as the judicial officer, the reporter to be able to mute and unmute their own audio to allow for communication with the judicial officer.

(8) Existing law requires a defendant to be personally present in a preliminary hearing unless otherwise specified. Existing law prohibits these provisions from limiting the right of a defendant to waive the right to be present. Existing law, until January 1, 2025, includes the defendant’s right to waive the right to appear through the use of remote technology from being limited by these provisions.

This bill would extend these provisions until January 1, 2027. The bill would extend the implementation of provisions that would commence on January 1, 2025, until January 1, 2027.

(9) Existing law generally subjects any person under 18 years of age who commits a crime to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, which may adjudge that person to be a ward of the court. Existing law provides the right of a minor subject to juvenile court hearings to be physically present for those hearings. Existing law authorizes the use of remote technology in juvenile justice proceedings, as defined, except in specified circumstances, until January 1, 2026. Existing law requires, beginning July 1, 2024, and until January 1, 2026, that when the court conducts proceedings that will be reported by an official reporter or an official reporter pro tempore, that the reporter be physically present in the same room as the judicial officer if the court cannot provide specified technology standards.

This bill would extend these provisions until January 1, 2027.

(10) This bill would appropriate $100,000 from the General Fund to the Judicial Council for distribution to the Equal Access Fund program.

(11) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: YES Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

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

SECTION 1.

Section 6304 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

6304.

Each board of law library trustees shall meet quarterly on a day it appoints, and any board may meet at other times as it appoints, at a place to be designated for that purpose. The president of the board may call a special meeting at any time for the transaction of necessary business. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum for business, and an affirmative vote of a majority of the members is required to exercise the powers of the board.

SEC. 2.

Section 367.75 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:

367.75.

(a) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (d), in civil cases, when a party has provided notice to the court and all other parties that it intends to appear remotely, a party may appear remotely and the court may conduct conferences, hearings, and proceedings, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology.

(2) This section does not apply to any of the following type of proceedings:

(A) Any proceeding in matters identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 367.76.

(B) A juvenile justice proceeding covered by Section 679.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, the court may require a party or witness to appear in person at a conference, hearing, or proceeding described in subdivision (a), or under subdivisions (e) and (h), if any of the following conditions are present:

(1) The court with jurisdiction over the case does not have the technology necessary to conduct the conference, hearing, or proceeding remotely.

(2) Although the court has the requisite technology, the quality of the technology or audibility at a conference, hearing, or proceeding prevents the effective management or resolution of the conference, hearing, or proceeding.

(3) The court determines on a hearing-by-hearing basis that an in-person appearance would materially assist in the determination of the conference, hearing, or proceeding or in the effective management or resolution of the particular case.

(4) The quality of the technology or audibility at a conference, hearing, or proceeding inhibits the court reporter’s ability to accurately prepare a transcript of the conference, hearing, or proceeding.

(5) The quality of the technology or audibility at a conference, hearing, or proceeding prevents an attorney from being able to provide effective representation to the attorney’s client.

(6) The quality of the technology or audibility at a conference, hearing, or proceeding inhibits a court interpreter’s ability to provide language access to a court user or authorized individual.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), an expert witness may appear remotely absent good cause to compel in-person testimony.

(d) (1) Except as otherwise provided by law and subject to the limitations of subdivision (b), upon its own motion or the motion of any party, the court may conduct a trial or evidentiary hearing, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology, absent a showing by the opposing party as to why a remote appearance or testimony should not be allowed.

(2) (A) Except as provided in Section 269 of the Code of Civil Procedure and Section 69957 of the Government Code, if the court conducts a trial, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology, the official reporter or official reporter pro tempore shall be physically present in the courtroom.

(B) If the court conducts a trial, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology, upon request, the court interpreter shall be physically present in the courtroom.

(e) (1) Before the court with jurisdiction over the case may proceed with a remote conference, hearing, proceeding, or trial, the court shall have a process for a party, witness, official reporter, official reporter pro tempore, court interpreter, or other court personnel to alert the judicial officer of technology or audibility issues that arise during the conference, hearing, proceeding, or trial.

(2) The court shall require that a remote appearance by a party or witness have the necessary privacy and security appropriate for the conference, hearing, proceeding, or trial.

(3) The court shall inform all parties, particularly parties without legal representation, about the potential technological or audibility issues that could arise when using remote technology, which may require a delay of or halt the conference, hearing, proceeding, or trial. The court shall make information available to self-represented parties regarding the options for appearing in person and through the use of remote technology.

(f) The court shall not require a party to appear through the use of remote technology. If the court permits an appearance through remote technology, the court must ensure that technology in the courtroom enables all parties, whether appearing remotely or in person, to fully participate in the conference, hearing, or proceeding.

(g) A self-represented party may appear remotely in a conference, hearing, or proceeding conducted through the use of remote technology only if they agree to do so.

(h) Any juvenile dependency proceeding may be conducted in whole or in part through the use of remote technology subject to the following:

(1) Any person authorized to be present may request to appear remotely.

(2) Any party to the proceeding may request that the court compel the physical presence of a witness or party. A witness, including a party providing testimony, may appear through remote technology only with the consent of all parties and if the witness has access to the appropriate technology.

(3) A court shall not require a party to appear through the use of remote technology.

(4) The confidentiality requirements that apply to an in-person juvenile dependency proceeding shall apply to a juvenile dependency proceeding conducted through the use of remote technology.

(i) (1) Notwithstanding Section 8613.5 of the Family Code, in an adoption proceeding under Division 13 (commencing with Section 8500) of the Family Code, the court may conduct an adoption finalization hearing, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology, without the court finding that it is impossible or impracticable for either prospective adoptive parent to make the appearance in person.

(2) A court shall not require a party to appear through the use of remote technology.

(3) The confidentiality and privacy requirements that apply to an in-person adoption finalization hearing, including, but not limited to, the requirements in Section 8611 of the Family Code, apply to an adoption finalization hearing conducted through the use of remote technology.

(j) For purposes of this section, a party includes a nonparty subject to Chapter 6 of Title 4 of Part 4 (commencing with Section 2020.010).

(k) Subject to the limitations in subdivision (b), this section is not intended to prohibit the use of appearances through the use of remote technology when stipulated by attorneys for represented parties.

(l) Consistent with its constitutional rulemaking authority, the Judicial Council shall adopt rules to implement the policies and provisions in this section to promote statewide consistency, including, but not limited to, the following procedures:

(1) A deadline by which a party must notify the court and the other parties of their request to appear remotely.

(2) Procedures and standards for a judicial officer to determine when a conference, hearing, or proceeding may be conducted through the use of remote technology. The procedures and standards shall require that a judicial officer give consideration to the limited access to technology or transportation that a party or witness might have.

(m) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 3.

Section 367.76 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:

367.76.

(a) (1) This section applies to proceedings in the following matters:

(A) Judicial commitments under Part 2 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, except for delinquency proceedings.

(B) Involuntary treatment and conservatorships of gravely disabled persons under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 5000), Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 5150), and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350) of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, including Murphy conservatorships.

(D) Mentally disordered offender proceedings under Article 4 (commencing with Section 2960) of Chapter 7 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code.

(E) Commitment proceedings under Section 1026, et seq. of the Penal Code.

(F) Competency proceedings under Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 1367) of Title 10 of Part 2 of the Penal Code.

(G) Placement and revocation proceedings pursuant to Section 1600 et seq. of the Penal Code.

(H) Involuntary medication and treatment hearings for individuals committed or awaiting admission to a State Department of State Hospitals facility as described in Section 4100 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) This section does not apply to proceedings in matters brought pursuant to Sections 601 and 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Person” means the person subject to any proceeding in matters described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(2) “Proceeding” or “proceedings” includes, but is not limited to, all hearings, conferences, and trials in matters described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(3) “Remote technology” means technology that provides for the two-way transmission of video and audio signals except that audio signals alone may be permitted where specifically authorized by law. Remote technology shall include, but not be limited to, a computer, tablet, telephone, cellular telephone, or other electronic or communications device. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to subdivision (h), the person subject to the proceeding, in consultation with counsel if represented, may, at their request, participate through audio-only technology.

(c) Proceedings in matters arising under subdivision (a) may be conducted through the use of remote technology subject to the following:

(1) A person has the right to be physically present for all proceedings and shall not be required to appear through the use of remote technology.

(2) A person may waive their right to be physically present and may elect to appear remotely.

(3) Except as provided in subdivisions (d), (e), and (h), a party, counsel for a party, or witness may appear through the use of remote technology.

(4) The confidentiality requirements that apply to inperson proceedings shall apply with equal force and effect when conducted through the use of remote technology.

(d) If the person is physically present in court the following shall apply:

(1) Absent exceptional circumstances and except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), counsel for the person, counsel for the other party or parties, the other party or parties, and the judicial officer shall be physically present in the courtroom.

(2) Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) and paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 1370 of the Penal Code, absent a waiver by the person or a finding of good cause by the court, any witness the other party or parties calls shall be physically present in the courtroom. In determining whether good cause exists to excuse the physical presence of a witness, the court shall consider the distance the witness must travel, the nature of the testimony, and the nature of the proceeding.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), counsel and witnesses for the State Department of Developmental Services shall not be required to be physically present in the courtroom absent a finding of good cause by the court.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), counsel and witnesses for the State Department of State Hospitals shall not be required to be physically present in the courtroom in any nonjury trial matters or proceedings described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) absent a finding of good cause by the court.

(e) Notwithstanding any other law, unless good cause exists, a court shall not compel the physical presence of the person who is a patient in a State Department of State Hospitals or State Department of Developmental Services facility or other inpatient or outpatient treatment facility absent consent of the person in consultation with counsel. In determining whether good cause exists to compel the physical presence of a patient, the court shall consider the nature of the hearing and whether requiring the physical presence of the patient would interfere with the person’s program of treatment or be detrimental to their mental or physical health.

(f) (1) Until July 1, 2024, when the court conducts proceedings that will be reported by an official reporter or official reporter pro tempore, the reporter shall be physically present in the same room as the judicial officer except where the court finds that, as the result of unusual circumstances, this requirement would place extreme or undue hardship on the court or the litigants. For purposes of this paragraph, “unusual circumstances” means a work stoppage, a circumstance described in subdivision (a) of Section 68115 of the Government Code, an unforeseen emergency, court proceedings conducted in a remote court location to which a judicial officer is not regularly assigned to sit, or when a judicial officer has to travel to a location outside of a courthouse to conduct the proceeding.

(2) Beginning July 1, 2024, when the court conducts proceedings that will be reported by an official reporter or official reporter pro tempore, the reporter shall be physically present in the same room as the judicial officer if the court cannot provide the technology standards described in subdivision (o).

(g) If the court conducts a trial, in whole or in part, through the use of remote technology, upon request, the court interpreter shall be physically present in the courtroom.

(h) (1) If any of the following conditions are present and cannot be resolved, the court shall not permit any party, counsel, or witness to appear or participate in proceedings through the use of remote technology, and shall continue any proceeding being conducted with the use of remote technology:

(A) The court does not have the technology necessary to conduct the proceeding remotely.

(B) Although the court has the requisite technology, the quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding prevents the effective management or resolution of the proceeding.

(C) The quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding inhibits the court reporter’s ability to accurately prepare and certify a transcript of the proceeding.

(D) The court reporter is unable to capture the verbatim record and certify a transcript of any proceeding that is conducted remotely, in whole or in part, to the same extent and in the same manner as if it were not conducted remotely.

(E) The quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding inhibits the ability of the person to understand or participate in the proceeding.

(F) The quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding inhibits counsel from being able to provide effective representation to the person.

(G) The court does not have the technology necessary for secure, confidential communication between counsel and the person.

(H) The quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding inhibits a court interpreter’s ability to provide language access, including to communicate and interpret directly with the person and the court during the proceedings.

(2) Except as provided in subdivision (e) or otherwise provided by law, the court may require a party or witness to appear in person at a proceeding if the court determines on a hearing-by-hearing basis that an inperson appearance would materially assist in the determination of the proceeding or resolution of the case. The court’s determination shall be based on the individual case before the court and shall be entered into the minutes or otherwise made on the record. In making its determination, the court shall consider the request of the person, the nature of the proceedings, and whether requiring the physical presence of the person would disrupt the person’s program of treatment or be detrimental to their mental or physical health.

(3) The court shall not continue proceedings beyond statutory time limits pursuant to this section absent a waiver by the person in consultation with counsel.

(i) Subject to the limitations in subdivision (h), this section is not intended to prohibit the use of appearances through the use of remote technology when stipulated by attorneys for represented parties.

(j) Before the court may conduct proceedings through the use of remote technology, the court shall have a process for a party, witness, official reporter, official reporter pro tempore, court interpreter, or other court personnel to alert the judicial officer of technology or audibility issues that arise during the proceedings.

(k) The court shall inform all parties, particularly parties without legal representation, about the potential technological or audibility issues that could arise when using remote technology, which may require a delay of or halt the proceedings. The court shall make information available to self-represented parties regarding the options for appearing in person and through the use of remote technology.

(l) A self-represented party may appear remotely in a proceeding conducted through the use of remote technology only if they agree to do so.

(m) For purposes of this section, a party includes a nonparty subject to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2020.010) of Title 4 of Part 4.

(n) Consistent with its constitutional rulemaking authority, the Judicial Council shall adopt such other rules and standards as are necessary to implement the policies and provisions of this section and the intent of the Legislature.

(o) By April 1, 2024, the Judicial Council shall adopt, and trial courts shall implement by July 1, 2024, minimum standards for the courtroom technology necessary to permit remote participation in proceedings subject to this section. Those standards shall include, but not be limited to, hard-wired or other reliable high-speed internet connections in the courtroom for the judicial officer and court reporter, and monitors, dedicated cameras, speakers, and microphones so the judicial officer, court reporter, and court interpreter can appropriately see and hear remote participants, as well as to ensure that remote participants can appropriately see and hear the judicial officer and other courtroom participants.

(p) Consistent with federal and California labor law, a trial court shall not retaliate or threaten to retaliate against an official reporter or an official reporter pro tempore who notifies the judicial officer that technology or audibility issues are impeding the creation of the verbatim record of a proceeding that includes participation through remote technology. This subdivision shall only apply to an official reporter and an official reporter pro tempore when they meet the definition of “trial court employee” under subdivision (l) of Section 71601 of the Government Code.

(q) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 4.

Section 367.8 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:

367.8.

(a) Each superior court shall report to the Judicial Council on or before October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, and the Judicial Council shall report to the Legislature on or before December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter, to assess the impact of technology issues or problems affecting remote proceedings, as included under Sections 367.75 and 367.76 of this code, and Section 679.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and all purchases and leases of technology or equipment to facilitate remote conferences, hearings, or proceedings. The report by each superior court and the Judicial Council shall specify all of the following for each annual reporting period:

(1) The number of proceedings conducted with the use of remote technology.

(2) Any superior court in which technology issues or problems occurred.

(3) The superior courts in which remote technology was used.

(4) The types of trial court conferences, hearings, or proceedings in which remote technology was used.

(5) The cost of purchasing, leasing, or upgrading remote technology.

(6) The type of technology and equipment purchased or leased.

(7) Any other information necessary to evaluate the use of remote proceedings by the courts.

(b) Each superior court shall report to the Judicial Council on or before October 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, and the Judicial Council shall report to the Legislature on or before December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the information identified in subdivision (a) to assess the impact of technology issues or problems affecting criminal remote proceedings, as included under Sections 977, 977.3, and 1043.5 of the Penal Code.

(c) (1) By October 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the court executive officer of each superior court shall certify to the Judicial Council, in a form and manner determined by the Judicial Council, that each courtroom of the superior court in which the court is conducting a remote proceeding meets the minimum standards for courtroom technology required pursuant to subdivision (o) of Section 367.76 of this code, subdivision (j) of Section 977 of the Penal Code, or subdivision (n) of Section 679.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2) By December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Judicial Council shall report the information identified in paragraph (1) to the Legislature.

(d) A report to be submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this section shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 5.

Section 68502.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:

68502.5.

(a) The Judicial Council may, as part of its trial court budget process, seek input from groups and individuals as it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, advisory committees and the Administrative Director of the Courts. The trial court budget process may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) The receipt of budget requests from the trial courts.

(2) The review of the trial courts’ budget requests and evaluate them against performance criteria established by the Judicial Council by which a court’s performance, level of coordination, and efficiency can be measured.

(3) The annual adoption of the projected cost in the subsequent fiscal year of court operations as defined in Section 77003 for each trial court. This estimation shall serve as a basis for recommended court budgets, which shall be developed for comparison purposes and to delineate funding responsibilities.

(4) The annual approval of a schedule for the allocation of moneys to individual courts and an overall trial court budget for forwarding to the Governor for inclusion in the Governor’s proposed State Budget. The schedule shall be based on the performance criteria established pursuant to paragraph (2), on a minimum standard established by the Judicial Council for the operation and staffing of all trial court operations, and on any other factors as determined by the Judicial Council. This minimum standard shall be modeled on court operations using all reasonable and available measures to increase court efficiency. The schedule of allocations shall assure that all trial courts receive funding for the minimum operating and staffing standards before funding operating and staffing requests above the minimum standards, and shall include incentives and rewards for any trial court’s implementation of efficiencies and cost saving measures.

(5) The reallocation of funds during the course of the fiscal year to ensure equal access to the trial courts by the public, to improve trial court operations, and to meet trial court emergencies. Neither the state nor the counties shall have any obligation to replace moneys appropriated for trial courts and reallocated pursuant to this paragraph.

(6) The allocation of funds in the State Trial Court Improvement and Modernization Fund to ensure equal access to trial courts by the public, to improve trial court operations, and to meet trial court emergencies, as expressly authorized by statute.

(7) Upon approval of the trial courts’ budget by the Legislature, the preparation during the course of the fiscal year of allocation schedules for payments to the trial courts, consistent with Section 68085, which shall be submitted to the Controller’s office at least 15 days before the due date of any allocation.

(8) The establishment of rules regarding a court’s authority to transfer trial court funding moneys from one functional category to another in order to address needs in any functional category.

(9) At the request of the presiding judge of a trial court, an independent review of the funding level of the court to determine whether it is adequate to enable the court to discharge its statutory and constitutional responsibilities.

(10) From time to time, a review of the level of fees charged by the courts for various services and prepare recommended adjustments for forwarding to the Legislature.

(11) Provisions set forth in rules adopted pursuant to Section 77206.

(b) Courts and counties shall establish procedures to allow for the sharing of information as it relates to approved budget proposals and expenditures that impact the respective court and county budgets. The procedures shall include, upon the request of a court or county, that a respective court or county shall provide the requesting court or county a copy of its approved budget and, to the extent possible, approved program expenditure component information and a description of budget changes that are anticipated to have an impact on the requesting court or county. The Judicial Council shall provide to the Legislature on December 31, 2001, and yearly thereafter, budget expenditure data at the program component level for each court.

(c) (1) The Judicial Council shall retain the ultimate responsibility to adopt a budget and allocate funding for the trial courts and perform the other activities listed in subdivision (a) that best assure their ability to carry out their functions, promote implementation of statewide policies, and promote the immediate implementation of efficiencies and cost saving measures in court operations, in order to guarantee equal access to the courts.

(2) (A) When setting the allocations for trial courts, the Judicial Council shall set a preliminary allocation in July of each fiscal year. The preliminary allocation shall include an estimate of available trial court reserves as of June 30 of the prior fiscal year and each court’s preliminary allocation shall be offset by the amount of reserves in excess of the amount authorized to be carried over pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 77203. In January of each fiscal year, after review of available trial court reserves as of June 30 of the prior fiscal year, the Judicial Council shall finalize allocations to trial courts and each court’s finalized allocation shall be offset by the amount of reserves in excess of the amount authorized to be carried over pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 77203.

(B) The Judicial Council shall hold a reserve of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in the Trial Court Trust Fund to be available to trial courts for emergencies. The funding shall be administered by the Judicial Council, and any funding allocated shall be replenished on an annual basis from the trial court base allocations. The Judicial Council shall establish a process for trial courts to apply for emergency funding.

(C) The Judicial Council shall, no later than October 1 of each year, report to the Legislature, pursuant to Section 9795, and to the Department of Finance all requests and allocations made pursuant to subparagraph (B) for the preceding year. For any fiscal year in which there are no requests from the trial courts or allocations made by the Judicial Council pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Judicial Council is not required to submit a report.

SEC. 6.

Section 68661.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:

68661.1.

(a) The center may represent a person sentenced to death on a federal habeas corpus petition if and only if (1) the center was appointed to represent that person on state habeas corpus, (2) the center is appointed for that purpose by the federal court, and (3) the executive director determines that compensation from the federal court will fully cover the cost of representation. Neither the center nor any other person or entity receiving state funds shall spend state funds to attack in federal court any judgment of a California court in a capital case, other than review in the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 1257 of Title 28 of the United States Code.

(b) The center is not authorized to represent any person in any action other than habeas corpus which constitutes a collateral attack on the judgment or seeks to delay or prevent its execution. The center shall not engage in any other litigation or expend funds in any form of advocacy other than as expressly authorized by this section, Section 68661, and Section 68661.5.

SEC. 7.

Section 68661.1 is added to the Government Code, to read:

68661.1.

SEC. 8.

Section 68661.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:

68661.5.

(a) Attorneys employed by the center pursuant to Section 68661 may also represent any person sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in this state who was previously sentenced to death and who is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be indigent. Representation of a person sentenced to life without the possibility of parole may be for the purpose of instituting and prosecuting habeas corpus petitions in the state and federal courts, challenging the legality of the judgment or sentence imposed against that person, subject to the limitations in Section 68661.1, and preparing petitions for executive clemency. Any such appointment may be concurrent with the appointment of the State Public Defender or other counsel for purposes of direct appeal.

(b) The center may be appointed to represent a person pursuant to this section for the purpose of enabling the center’s attorneys to meet the qualifications for representation of death-sentenced persons pursuant to Rule 8.652 of the California Rules of Court, and to facilitate appointments pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 68661.

SEC. 9.

Section 71651.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:

71651.1.

(a) Consistent with federal and California labor law, a trial court shall not retaliate against an official reporter or official reporter pro tempore who notifies the judicial officer that technology or audibility issues are interfering with the creation of the verbatim record for a remote proceeding pursuant to subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 977 of the Penal Code.

(b) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 10.

Section 977 of the Penal Code, as amended by Section 3 of Chapter 190 of the Statutes of 2023, is amended to read:

977.

(a) (1) In all cases in which the accused is charged with a misdemeanor only, they may appear by counsel only, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3). If the accused agrees, the initial court appearance, arraignment, plea, and all other proceedings, except jury and court trials, may be conducted remotely through the use of technology, as provided by subdivision (c).

(2) If the accused is charged with a misdemeanor offense involving domestic violence, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, or a misdemeanor violation of Section 273.6, the accused shall be present for arraignment and sentencing, and at any time during the proceedings when ordered by the court for the purpose of being informed of the conditions of a protective order issued pursuant to Section 136.2.

(3) If the accused is charged with a misdemeanor offense involving driving under the influence, in an appropriate case, the court may order a defendant to be present for arraignment, at the time of plea, or at sentencing. For purposes of this paragraph, a misdemeanor offense involving driving under the influence shall include a misdemeanor violation of any of the following:

(A) Subdivision (b) of Section 191.5.

(B) Section 23103 as specified in Section 23103.5 of the Vehicle Code.

(D) Section 23153 of the Vehicle Code.

(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (c), in all cases in which a felony is charged, the accused shall be physically present at the arraignment, at the time of plea, during the preliminary hearing, during those portions of the trial when evidence is taken before the trier of fact, and at the time of the imposition of sentence. The accused shall be physically or remotely present at all other proceedings unless they waive their right to be physically or remotely present, with leave of court and with approval by defendant’s counsel.

(2) The waiver of a defendant’s right to be physically or remotely present may be in writing and filed with the court or, with the court’s consent, may be entered personally by the defendant or by the defendant’s counsel of record.

(A) A defendant’s personal waiver of the right to be physically or remotely present shall be on the record and state that the defendant has been advised of the right to be physically or remotely present for the hearing at issue and agrees that notice to the attorney that the defendant’s physical or remote presence in court at a future date and time is required is notice to the defendant of that requirement.

(B) A waiver of the defendant’s physical or remote presence may be entered by counsel, after counsel has stated on the record that the defendant has been advised of the right to be physically or remotely present for the hearing at issue, has waived that right, and agrees that notice to the attorney that the defendant’s physical or remote presence in court at a future date and time is required is notice to the defendant of that requirement.

(3) The court may specifically direct the defendant, either personally or through counsel, to be physically or remotely present at any particular proceeding or portion thereof, including upon request of a victim, to the extent required by Section 28 of Article I of the California Constitution.

(4) A written waiver of the defendant’s physical or remote presence shall be substantially in the following form:

“Waiver of Defendant’s Physical or Remote Presence”

“The undersigned defendant, having been advised of their right to be present at all stages of the proceedings, including, but not limited to, presentation of and arguments on questions of fact and law, and to be confronted by and cross-examine all witnesses, hereby knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waives the right to be physically or remotely present at the hearing of any motion or other proceeding in this cause. The undersigned defendant hereby requests the court to proceed during every absence of the defendant that the court may permit pursuant to this waiver, and hereby agrees that their interest is represented at all times by the presence of their attorney the same as if the defendant were physically or remotely present in court, and further agrees that notice to their attorney that their physical or remote presence in court on a particular day at a particular time is required is notice to the defendant of the requirement of their physical or remote appearance at that time and place.”

(c) (1) (A) Upon waiver of the right to be physically present by the defendant, criminal proceedings may be conducted through the use of remote technology, except as provided in subparagraphs (D) and (E). The defendant may withdraw the waiver at any time.

(B) The court may specifically direct the defendant, either personally or through counsel, to be physically present at any particular felony proceeding or portion thereof, including as provided in subdivision (f).

(C) If the defendant is represented by counsel, the attorney shall not be required to be physically present with the defendant if remote technology allows for private communication between the defendant and the attorney prior to and during the proceeding, unless, upon request of defense counsel, the court allows the appearance without private communication. Any private communication shall be confidential and privileged pursuant to Section 952 of the Evidence Code.

(D) A defendant charged with a felony or misdemeanor shall not appear remotely for a jury trial or court trial, except as provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2).

(E) A defendant charged with a felony shall not appear remotely at sentencing, except for postconviction relief proceedings and as otherwise provided by law.

(F) A witness may appear at any misdemeanor or felony criminal proceeding, except for felony trial, remotely pursuant to Section 977.3.

(2) (A) A felony defendant who does not wish to be physically or remotely present for noncritical portions of the trial when no testimonial evidence is taken may make an oral waiver in open court prior to the proceeding, or may submit a written request to the court, which the court may grant in its discretion.

(B) This paragraph does not expand or limit the right of a defendant to be personally present with their counsel at a particular proceeding as required by Section 15 of Article 1 of the California Constitution.

(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, the court may allow a defendant to appear by counsel on that day, at a trial, hearing, or other proceeding, with or without a written waiver, if the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, all of the following to be true:

(A) The defendant is in custody and is refusing, without good cause, to appear in court on that day for that trial, hearing, or other proceeding.

(B) The defendant has been informed of their right and obligation to be personally present in court.

(C) The defendant has been informed that the trial, hearing, or other proceeding will proceed without the defendant being present.

(D) The defendant has been informed that they have the right to remain silent during the trial, hearing, or other proceeding.

(E) The defendant has been informed that their absence without good cause will constitute a voluntary waiver of any constitutional or statutory right to confront any witnesses against them or to testify on their own behalf.

(F) The defendant has been informed whether or not defense counsel will be present.

(2) The court shall state on the record the reasons for the court’s findings and shall cause those findings and reasons to be entered into the minutes.

(3) If the trial, hearing, or other proceeding lasts for more than one day, the court is required to make the findings required by this subdivision anew for each day that the defendant is absent.

(4) This subdivision does not apply to any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in which the defendant was personally present in court at the commencement of the trial, hearing, or other proceeding.

(e) A court may, as appropriate and practicable, allow a prosecuting attorney or defense counsel to participate in a criminal proceeding through the use of remote technology without being physically present in the courtroom and in accordance with subdivision (f).

(f) Except as otherwise provided by law, the court shall require a prosecuting attorney, defense counsel, defendant, or witness to appear in person at a proceeding, if any of the following conditions are present and cannot be resolved in a reasonable amount of time:

(1) The court does not have the technology necessary to conduct the proceeding remotely.

(2) Although the court has the requisite technology, the quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding prevents the effective management or resolution of the proceeding.

(3) The quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding inhibits the court reporter’s ability to accurately prepare and certify a transcript of the proceeding.

(4) The quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding prevents defense counsel from being able to provide effective representation to the defendant.

(5) The quality of the technology or audibility at a proceeding inhibits a court interpreter’s ability to provide language access, including the ability to communicate and translate directly with the defendant and the court during the proceeding.

(g) (1) Before the court may proceed with a remote proceeding, the court shall have a process for a defendant, defense counsel, prosecuting attorney, witness, official reporter, official reporter pro tempore, court interpreter, or other court personnel to alert the judicial officer of technological or audibility issues that arise during the proceeding.

(2) When the court conducts a remote proceeding that will be reported by an official reporter or official reporter pro tempore, the reporter shall be physically present in the same room as the judicial officer unless doing so would cause a significant delay that would prejudice the parties, in which case the reporter shall be physically present in a court facility. If the reporter is not in the same room as the judicial officer, the reporter shall be given the ability to mute and unmute their own audio to allow for communication with the judicial officer.

(h) The court shall make findings on the record that any waiver entered into pursuant to this section is knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made by the defendant.

(i) The court shall require any party, witness, or attorney who participates remotely in a criminal proceeding to conduct themselves as if they were appearing physically in the courtroom. Any person speaking on the record shall have their name displayed or state their name.

(j) By April 1, 2025, the Judicial Council shall adopt, and courts shall implement by July 1, 2025, minimum standards for the courtroom technology necessary to permit remote participation in criminal proceedings. The standards shall include, but not be limited to, hard-wired or other reliable high-speed internet connections for the judicial officer and court reporter, and monitors, dedicated cameras, speakers, and microphones so the judicial officer, court reporter, and court interpreter can appropriately see and hear remote participants, as well as to ensure that remote participants can appropriately see and hear the judicial officer and other courtroom participants. Court technology shall allow remote participants to be identified during the proceeding to ensure an accurate record.

(k) The Judicial Council shall adopt rules and standards that are necessary to implement the policies and provisions of this section and the intent of the Legislature.

(l) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2027, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 11.

Section 977 of the Penal Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 190 of the Statutes of 2023, is amended to read:

977.

(a) (1) In all cases in which the accused is charged with a misdemeanor only, they may appear by counsel only, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3). If the accused agrees, the initial court appearance, arraignment, and plea may be by video, as provided by subdivision (c).

(A) Subdivision (b) of Section 191.5.

(B) Section 23103 as specified in Section 23103.5 of the Vehicle Code.

(D) Section 23153 of the Vehicle Code.

(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (c), in all cases in which a felony is charged, the accused shall be personally present at the arraignment, at the time of plea, during the preliminary hearing, during those portions of the trial when evidence is taken before the trier of fact, and at the time of the imposition of sentence. The accused shall be personally present at all other proceedings unless they shall, with leave of court, execute in open court, a written waiver of their right to be personally present, as provided by paragraph (2). If the accused agrees, the initial court appearance, arraignment, and plea may be by video, as provided by subdivision (c).

(2) The accused may execute a written waiver of their right to be personally present, approved by their counsel, and the waiver shall be filed with the court. However, the court may specifically direct the defendant to be personally present at any particular proceeding or portion thereof. The waiver shall be substantially in the following form:

“Waiver of Defendant’s Personal Presence”

“The undersigned defendant, having been advised of their right to be present at all stages of the proceedings, including, but not limited to, presentation of and arguments on questions of fact and law, and to be confronted by and cross-examine all witnesses, hereby waives the right to be present at the hearing of any motion or other proceeding in this cause. The undersigned defendant hereby requests the court to proceed during every absence of the defendant that the court may permit pursuant to this waiver, and hereby agrees that their interest is represented at all times by the presence of their attorney the same as if the defendant were personally present in court, and further agrees that notice to their attorney that their presence in court on a particular day at a particular time is required is notice to the defendant of the requirement of their appearance at that time and place.”

(c) (1) The court may permit the initial court appearance and arraignment of defendants held in any state, county, or local facility within the county on felony or misdemeanor charges, except for those defendants who were indicted by a grand jury, to be conducted by two-way electronic audiovideo communication between the defendant and the courtroom in lieu of the physical presence of the defendant in the courtroom. If the defendant is represented by counsel, the attorney shall be present with the defendant at the initial court appearance and arraignment, and may enter a plea during the arraignment. However, if the defendant is represented by counsel at an arraignment on an information in a felony case, and if the defendant does not plead guilty or nolo contendere to any charge, the attorney shall be present with the defendant or if the attorney is not present with the defendant, the attorney shall be present in court during the hearing. The defendant shall have the right to make their plea while physically present in the courtroom if they request to do so. If the defendant decides not to exercise the right to be physically present in the courtroom they shall execute a written waiver of that right. A judge may order a defendant’s personal appearance in court for the initial court appearance and arraignment. In a misdemeanor case, a judge may, pursuant to this subdivision, accept a plea of guilty or no contest from a defendant who is not physically in the courtroom. In a felony case, a judge may, pursuant to this subdivision, accept a plea of guilty or no contest from a defendant who is not physically in the courtroom if the parties stipulate thereto.

(2) (A) A defendant who does not wish to be personally present for noncritical portions of the trial when no testimonial evidence is taken may make an oral waiver in open court prior to the proceeding or may submit a written request to the court, which the court may grant in its discretion. The court may, when a defendant has waived the right to be personally present, require a defendant held in any state, county, or local facility within the county on felony or misdemeanor charges to be present for noncritical portions of the trial when no testimonial evidence is taken, including, but not limited to, confirmation of the preliminary hearing, status conferences, trial readiness conferences, discovery motions, receipt of records, the setting of the trial date, a motion to vacate the trial date, and motions in limine, by two-way electronic audiovideo communication between the defendant and the courtroom in lieu of the physical presence of the defendant in the courtroom. If the defendant is represented by counsel, the attorney shall not be required to be personally present with the defendant for noncritical portions of the trial, if the audiovideo conferencing system or other technology allows for private communication between the defendant and the attorney prior to and during the noncritical portion of trial. Any private communication shall be confidential and privileged pursuant to Section 952 of the Evidence Code.