Court reporting: digital reporters and legal transcriptionists.

Assembly Member Lackey's court reporting modernization bill establishes new certification pathways for digital reporters and legal transcriptionists while protecting existing shorthand reporter positions. The legislation creates a comprehensive framework for recording legal proceedings through digital means, expanding options beyond traditional stenographic methods.

The bill authorizes the Court Reporters Board of California to certify digital reporters who meet specific qualifications, including holding a notary public license and either obtaining certification from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers or possessing an equivalent out-of-state license. Certified digital reporters may swear in witnesses, operate recording equipment, maintain chain of custody, and capture records in depositions, hearings, and trials.

Legal transcriptionists would also receive formal certification under the measure. Qualified applicants must complete board-approved training or hold relevant professional credentials. Once certified, they can transcribe audio and video recordings of legal proceedings and certify transcripts for official use. The bill mandates that electronic recordings in court proceedings be conducted by certified digital reporters and transcribed by certified legal transcriptionists.

To protect existing court reporters, the legislation prohibits courts from terminating certified shorthand reporters to replace them with digital reporters or transcriptionists. It establishes a presumption of unfair labor practice if such terminations occur near the hiring of digital reporting staff. The bill also maintains stenographic transcripts as the official record when proceedings are captured through multiple methods.

The Court Reporters Board would set certification fees and renewal requirements for both new categories of professionals. These fees would support the Transcript Reimbursement Fund, requiring an appropriation to implement the expanded certification program.