Relating to telephone testimony; and declaring an emergency.: SB 131

Oregon authorizes courts to allow remote testimony in civil and juvenile dependency proceedings for good cause, unless court finds prejudice to other party outweighs the good cause. Factors that a court may consider include: (A) Whether the witness or party might be unavailable because of age, infirmity or mental or physical illness. (B) Whether the party filing the motion seeks to take the remote location testimony of a witness whose attendance the party has been unable to secure by process or other reasonable means. (C) Whether a personal appearance by the witness or party would be an undue hardship on the witness or party. (D) Whether a perpetuation deposition under ORCP 39 I, or another alternative, provides a more practical means of presenting the testimony. (E) Any other circumstances that constitute good cause.