Courtroom Audiovisual Modifications

HB 397 requires Utah courts to provide free public livestreams of most open court proceedings through the Administrative Office of the Courts, making them accessible via court websites. It includes exceptions for cases involving safety risks, victim rights, minors, or privacy concerns, and mandates courts to find no "less restrictive alternative" before blocking a livestream. The bill also requires creating and preserving audiovisual recordings of all livestreams for public access on court websites for at least one year. These recordings must exclude protected content like juror identities, confidential communications, or sensitive exhibits. The law takes effect on May 6, 2026.