CA SB848

Extends the sunset date for remote appearances in civil cases from July 1, 2023 to January 1, 2026, allowing parties to appear remotely and courts to conduct conferences, hearings, and proceedings through remote technology.

Authorizes courts to conduct adoption finalization hearings through remote technology without requiring specific findings of impossibility or impracticability, while prohibiting courts from requiring parties to appear remotely.

Prohibits use of remote technology for testimony, conferences, hearings, and proceedings in juvenile delinquency cases (Welfare and Institutions Code §601-602), juvenile commitment extensions (§1800), conservatorship proceedings, and intellectually disabled dangerous commitments until January 1, 2024.

Requires superior courts to report to the Judicial Council by October 1, 2023 and annually thereafter on technology issues and costs related to remote proceedings, and requires the Judicial Council to report to the Legislature by December 31, 2023 and annually thereafter.

Eliminates the sunset provision for discovery deadline extensions during trial postponements, allowing extensions to continue indefinitely rather than expiring 180 days after the COVID-19 emergency ends.