2025 SESSION

ENGROSSED

25104354D

SENATE BILL NO. 965

Senate Amendments in [ ] - January 20, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact § 16.1-69.35:2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to recording of proceedings in district courts.

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Patron Prior to Engrossment—Senator Carroll Foy

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 16.1-69.35:2 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 16.1-69.35:2. Recording of proceedings in district courts.

A. An audio recording of proceedings in a general district court may be made by a party or his counsel. However, the judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court may impose any restriction as necessary to comply with the confidentiality requirements applicable to such district court.

B. No judge of a district court shall (i) order or require a party or his counsel to submit a copy of an audio recording made pursuant to this section [ or a transcript of such recording ] to the clerk of a district court to be maintained in such party's individual case file or (ii) prohibit a party or his counsel from providing such copy [ or transcript of such recording ] to the opposing party or his counsel.

[ C. A party or his counsel may, in his discretion, provide a copy of an audio recording made pursuant to this section to the opposing party or his counsel. ]