Require courts to supply electronic notification of hearings

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Josh Williams

HB 626 would require Ohio courts to send timely hearing notices electronically to parties and counsel, modernizing notification and improving participation.

Referred to committee

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Overview

HB 626 (Ohio, 136th Legislature) would require courts to provide electronic notification of hearings to interested parties. Introduced in December 2025 and referred to committee in February 2026, the bill adds a procedural mandate aimed at improving notice and accessibility for court proceedings. Co-sponsor: Josh Williams.

Purpose and intent

To ensure timely and reliable notice of court hearings through electronic means.

Aims to improve participation and reduce missed hearings by making electronic notifications a standard practice for courts.

Supports more efficient communication between the judiciary, litigants, and other interested stakeholders.

Key provisions

Mandatory electronic notification: Courts would be required to send hearing notices electronically where feasible.

Recipients of notifications: Likely to include parties of record, attorneys, and potentially other interested individuals or entities designated by law (exact list to be specified in the bill or accompanying rules).

Methods of notification: Electronic delivery channels such as email, court portals, or other approved electronic systems.

Timing requirements: Notifications would need to be sent within a specified timeframe prior to hearings (e.g., a certain number of days before the court date), to be detailed in the bill.

Accessibility and reliability: Provisions to ensure that electronic notices are accessible, verifiable (e.g., delivery receipts), and compliant with privacy and security standards.

Exceptions and limitations: Possible carve-outs where electronic notice is impractical or prohibited (e.g., for certain confidential matters or in jurisdictions lacking infrastructure).

Affected entities

Courts and clerks of court: Primary implementers of the electronic notification requirement.

Parties of record and their counsel: Primary recipients and beneficiaries of the notices.

Other potential stakeholders: Potentially self-represented litigants, witnesses, or interested agencies depending on the bill’s defined scope.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced December 8, 2025; referred to committee February 4, 2026.

Committee process: The bill will be examined for fiscal impact, implementation requirements, and potential amendments.

Effective date: The bill would specify an effective date after passage and signing, with phased implementation likely if courts need time to upgrade notification systems.

Potential impact and considerations

Positive impacts: Improved notice reliability, reduced no-shows, faster dissemination of hearing information, enhanced accessibility for parties using electronic communication.

Challenges and considerations:

Infrastructure: Courts must have or develop electronic notification systems and ensure data security.
Equity: Ensuring access for individuals without reliable electronic access or digital literacy; potential need for parallel traditional notice methods.
Cost: Initial implementation and ongoing maintenance costs for courts.
Privacy: Safeguards for sensitive case information in notifications.

Summary

HB 626 would make electronic notification of court hearings a mandatory practice for Ohio courts, mandating timely electronic notices to parties and counsel. The bill seeks to modernize notification processes, improve court participation rates, and streamline communications, while addressing implementation, accessibility, and privacy considerations. The proposal is in early stages, with committee review pending to determine specifics such as recipients, timing, and exceptions.