Bill > H1649

This bill modifies the existing law regarding transcript fees for court proceedings in Massachusetts, updating the rates for transcribers when they are requested to produce transcripts of trials or hearings. The bill establishes new standard rates of $4.50 per page for the original transcript and $1.50 per page for each copy, with reduced rates of $0.15 per page for copies requested by indigent persons or their counsel. For rush transcripts, the rates increase to $6.75 per page for the original and $2.25 per page for copies, with indigent copy rates increasing to $0.23 per page. The bill also includes a provision for automatic periodic adjustments to these rates, with fees to be increased every five years starting in July 2030 to reflect cumulative changes in the Consumer Price Index. Additionally, the legislation specifies that when transcripts are ordered by a presiding justice or district attorney in criminal cases, payment will be made by the administrative office of the trial court, and directives for implementing these changes will be issued by either the office of transcription services or the presiding justice of the administrative office of the trial court.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1649