SB 344 amends OCGA 24-13-60 to authorize the use of video conferencing for certain proceedings when prisoners must appear. It provides discretion for the judge to order an inmate to appear in person in court for any hearing and provides that a record of the appearance by video conference shall be made in the same manner as the record for similar proceedings not conducted by video conference. Should video conference systems be used, the bill provides for minimum requirements of such systems. The legislation also adds new Code Section 35-3-154.2 to authorize the appearance by video conference for certain proceedings for employees of the state crime lab or an employee of a laboratory with which the state crime lab has a contract for the provision of laboratory or scientific examination or analysis. 

The legislation includes an effective date of July 1, 2020, and would apply to all offenses committed on or after such date.