Court access.

The California Constitution vests the judicial power of the state in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts. Existing law requires the sittings of every court to be public, except as authorized. This bill would prohibit a court from excluding the public from physical access to the court because remote access is available, unless it is necessary to restrict or limit physical access to protect the health or safety of the public or court personnel. The bill would require the court to provide, at a minimum, a public audio stream or telephonic means by which to listen to the proceedings when the courthouse is physically closed, except when the law authorizes or requires the proceedings to be closed.