2006 Code of Virginia § 16.1-345.1 - Use of electronic communication

16.1-345.1. Use of electronic communication.

A. Petitions and orders for emergency custody pursuant to 37.2-808,temporary detention pursuant to 37.2-809, and involuntary commitmentpursuant to 16.1-341 of minors may be filed, issued, served, or executed byelectronic means, with or without the use of two-way electronic video andaudio communication, and returned in the same manner with the same force,effect, and authority as an original document. All signatures thereon shallbe treated as original signatures.

B. Any juvenile and domestic relations court judge may conduct proceedingspursuant to 16.1-344 using any two-way electronic video and audiocommunication system to provide for the appearance of any parties andwitnesses. Any two-way electronic video and audio communication system usedto conduct a proceeding shall meet the standards set forth in subsection B of 19.2-3.1. When a witness whose testimony would be helpful to the conduct ofthe proceeding is not able to be physically present, his testimony may bereceived using a telephonic communication system.

(2005, c. 51.)