Court proceedings: media access

The law prevents remote viewing from replacing physical courtroom access except when health or safety requires limits. It also creates potential civil-penalty exposure for officials who improperly block access.

What the law does ​

• Requires court sittings to remain public unless another law authorizes closure.
• Bars courts from excluding people from physical access solely because remote access is available, except when needed to protect public or court personnel health or safety.
• Requires courts, when a courthouse is physically closed and law permits, to provide at least a public audio stream or telephone option for listening.
• Bars judicial officers and law enforcement officers from blocking press or public entry to open proceedings except as needed to maintain order and manage proceedings.
• Allows violations of the access protection to be pursued for civil penalties under existing civil-rights law.

Who it affects ​

• Members of the public and press seeking to attend open court proceedings.
• Judicial officers, peace officers, and other law enforcement officers managing access to court facilities.
• Courts operating remotely or during physical courthouse closures.

Context ​

Closed proceedings authorized or required by other law remain closed.