Bill > HB423

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for court reporters in Missouri, creating a new licensing and certification system administered by a board of certified court reporter examiners. The bill requires individuals to obtain a license from the board before practicing court reporting for compensation, making it a class A misdemeanor to practice without proper certification. Court reporters must be certified to use titles like "court reporter" or "shorthand reporter" and are prohibited from signing transcripts for proceedings they did not personally report. The legislation also regulates court reporting firms, establishing ethical guidelines that prevent potential conflicts of interest, such as restrictions on contractual agreements that might compromise a court reporter's impartiality or restrict attorneys' choices. The bill modifies existing statutes to reflect these new requirements, including updates to deposition procedures, certificate requirements, and cost regulations. Specifically, certified court reporters must now include their license number on depositions, provide detailed certifications, and adhere to strict professional standards. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges and potential inability to recover fees for services performed without proper licensing.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB423&year=2025&code=R