Court reporter providers.

Existing law requires, upon court order or, in certain cases, upon request of a party to the action, an official court reporter or reporter pro tempore to take down in shorthand all testimony, objections made, rulings of the court, exceptions taken, arraignments, pleas, sentences, arguments of the attorneys to the jury, and statements and remarks made and oral instructions given by the judge or other judicial officer. Existing law requires shorthand reporters to be licensed and regulated by the Court Reporters Board of California, which is within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law prohibits a person from being appointed to the position of official reporter of any court unless the person has first obtained a license to practice as a certified shorthand reporter from the Court Reporters Board of California. Existing law requires licensees to pay a fee that is deposited into the Court Reporters' Fund, which is continuously appropriated. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor. This bill, on and after January 1, 2019, would authorize an individual or entity to engage in the business of providing or arranging for certified shorthand reporters for the transcription of court proceedings if specified conditions are met, including that an individual be a certified shorthand reporter, that an entity be a shorthand reporting corporation, or that the individual or entity be registered as a court reporter provider, as defined. The bill would require an individual or entity that registers with the board as a court reporter provider to adhere to the same laws and regulations that are applicable to the conduct of certified shorthand reporters, including the requirement for a licensee to pay a fee, as specified, that will be deposited into the Court Reporters' Fund. By requiring a court reporter provider to pay a fee that is deposited into a continuously appropriated fund, the bill would make an appropriation. The bill would require the board to adopt regulations prescribing the process and procedure for registration as a court reporter provider. The bill would require the board to create and make available on its Internet Web site a directory of registered court reporter providers. Because a violation of these provisions would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.