Bill > HB651

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for court reporters in Missouri, creating a new licensing and certification system through the board of certified court reporter examiners. The bill defines key terms such as "court reporting" and "court reporting firm" and mandates that anyone practicing court reporting for compensation must obtain a license from the board. Individuals who use court reporter titles without certification or who provide false information to obtain a license can be charged with a class A misdemeanor. The legislation also sets strict ethical guidelines for court reporting firms, prohibiting practices that could compromise a court reporter's impartiality or restrict attorney choice in selecting a court reporter. The bill modifies existing statutes related to depositions, requiring certified court reporters to include their license numbers on documents, ensuring proper certification and documentation of testimony. Additionally, the bill establishes provisions for cost and expense recovery for deposition-related services, with courts retaining the ability to review and limit these costs based on factors like testimony relevance and reasonable charges. The overall aim of the bill is to professionalize and standardize court reporting practices in Missouri, ensuring high-quality, ethical, and transparent legal documentation.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB651&year=2025&code=R