IL HB5351

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code to permit Illinois Supreme Court and circuit courts to adopt rules allowing video conferencing in Chapter hearings.

Allows video conferencing when all parties (respondent, lawyers, State's Attorney) and the judge are at different locations if the respondent is at a mental health facility or safe, convenient location.

Permits video conferencing with respondent and counsel at a mental health facility while other participants including the judge are at another location, only with the respondent's and counsel's agreement.

Prohibits video conferencing in jury trials under Section 3-802.

Allows any court to permit witnesses, including psychiatrists, to testify by video conferencing from any location unless a court rule specifically prohibits such testimony.