AL HB450

Establishes the "Alabama Armed Services Accommodation Act" to allow video testimony from witnesses on active duty military service stationed outside Alabama in civil and criminal cases.

Permits circuit or district court judges to authorize two-way video conference testimony for active duty military members upon motion by either party in civil cases, requiring the witness to be out of state due to official military duty and testimony given under oath with cross-examination rights.

Allows video testimony from Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences employees or representatives in civil and criminal cases upon motion by either party and consent of both parties, with testimony given under oath and subject to cross-examination.

Requires video testimony to meet specific admissibility standards including ability of all parties and the trier of fact to see and hear the witness, identification of all persons present with the witness, and compliance with state rules of evidence.

Assigns all costs of video conference equipment and audiovisual feed coordination to the party requesting the testimony, with no requirement for courts to acquire video conference equipment; becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.