By Gina Macris

The public will be able to observe Monday’s U.S. District Court hearing on the status of the 2014 Rhode Island Olmstead consent decree via Zoom video conference, Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. has announced. A separate audio-only option also will be available by telephone.

McConnell has issued detailed instructions on the process for accessing the official proceedings via Zoom, which must be done no later than 1:45 p.m. Monday, May 18, fifteen minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.

McConnell said the public may view this video conference hearing by:

1. Going to www.zoom.com

2. Clicking on “Join a Meeting”

3. Entering the following Meeting ID: 160 443 9381

4. Entering the following Password: 947727

The judge said that once the hearing begins, no additional viewers will be allowed access. Court personnel will turn off the audio and video that would otherwise permit the court to see and hear spectators, and McConnell asks that viewers keep their audio and video turned off until the hearing concludes. Only case participants need to be seen and heard by the Court, he said.

McConnell said the Court also will provide an audio stream of the hearing through the AT&T Teleconferencing system. Instructions for dialing into the audio stream can be found here.

The judge also reminded the public of court rules on the “general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings.”