Bill > AB1189

This bill creates two new professional certifications within the Court Reporters Board of California: digital reporters and legal transcriptionists. Digital reporters will be authorized to swear in witnesses, ensure proper functioning of recording equipment, and capture legal proceedings digitally, while legal transcriptionists will be able to transcribe audio and video recordings and certify transcripts for legal use. The bill establishes specific qualifications for both certifications, including being over 18, having a high school diploma or equivalent, and obtaining a certificate from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers. The legislation also makes it an unfair labor practice for courts to terminate certified shorthand reporters and replace them with digital reporters or legal transcriptionists, and modifies existing laws regarding depositions and court recordings to allow for digital recording and transcription. Additionally, the bill requires the Court Reporters Board to establish certification and renewal fees for these new professional categories, with fees not exceeding the board's reasonable regulatory costs. The bill aims to modernize court reporting practices by introducing new technological methods for capturing and transcribing legal proceedings while providing professional standards and protections for both traditional and new types of court reporting professionals.

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https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1189