The Department of Attorney General Office of Child Support Hearings announced they are now conducting almost all administrative hearings by video conference. This is part of an effort to modernize operations, according to a news release. 

The state agency addresses child support disputes via the administrative hearings process with hearings officers. OCSH hearings differ from family court proceedings because they focus on child support matters and usually involve parties who are not represented by counsel. 

Before the pandemic, hearings were conducted in person, although it was an option for the parties or their counsel to attend the hearing via a telephone call. In 2020, with the pandemic ongoing, OSCH started conducting hearings by phone. In December 2024, OSCH began conducting administrative hearings via Zoom video conference. 

Now, hearings are scheduled to be heard via Zoom video conference only. However, if a party cannot access Zoom because of a lack of technological resources, such as a phone or computer, OSCH will grant an accommodation and allow a party to use a computer or phone in the hearings room.

“OCSH endeavors to resolve child support disputes fairly, impartially and expeditiously, in accordance with its mission statement,” said OCSH Supervisor Tom Tanimoto in a statement. “The transition was seamless, given the tireless efforts of all those who assisted in the project. Using video conferencing more closely mirrors in-person proceedings while still affording participants the convenience of attending remote hearings.”

Step-by-step user guides for both smartphone and desktop applications can be found on the OCSH website.