Bill > SR49

This Resolution requests that the Judiciary, which refers to the court system, permanently offer an option for individuals seeking temporary restraining orders (TROs) to testify remotely for their hearings. A TRO is a court order that provides immediate protection against harm or harassment. The resolution highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in domestic and intimate partner violence, and that facing an alleged abuser in court can be retraumatizing for petitioners. By allowing remote testimony, the resolution aims to create a safer process for survivors of violence, encouraging them to seek protection without fear of further trauma, while still respecting the defendant's right to confront witnesses. It also suggests that the Judiciary should establish specific conditions, such as cases involving domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or petitioners with post-traumatic stress disorder, under which remote testimony would be permitted.