BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 671
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SENATE THIRD READING
SB 671 (Price)
As Amended May 18, 2011
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :28-11
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 8-1 APPROPRIATIONS 12-5
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Bill Berryhill, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Blumenfield, |
| |Allen, Butler, Eng, | |Bradford, Charles |
| |Hagman, Hill, Ma | |Calderon, Campos, Davis, |
| | | |Gatto, Hall, Hill, Lara, |
| | | |Mitchell, Solorio |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Smyth |Nays:|Harkey, Donnelly, |
| | | |Nielsen, Norby, Wagner |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Court Reporters Board of California
(Board), on or before July 1, 2012, to adopt regulations to
establish continuing education (CE) requirements for renewal of
a court shorthand reporter's (CSR) certificate, with certain
exceptions, and requires the Board to establish a procedure for
approving providers of CE courses, as specified. Specifically,
this bill :
1)Requires the Board to adopt regulations to establish minimum
CE requirements for CSR certificate renewal on or before July
1, 2012.
2)Requires a CSR certificate holder to certify to the Board
completion of the minimum CE requirements on a form prescribed
by the Board, no earlier than six months after the effective
date of the regulations.
3)Requires the Board to ensure that the CE required under this
bill is relevant to the practice of shorthand reporting.
4)Requires the Board to establish a procedure for approving
providers of CE courses, and requires CE providers to comply
with procedures established by the Board.
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5)Authorizes the Board to establish a fee for CE providers, as
specified.
6)Authorizes the Board to revoke or deny the right of a CE
provider to offer CE coursework for failure to comply with the
requirements of this bill or any regulation adopted pursuant
to this bill.
7)Authorizes the Board to establish exceptions to CE
requirements for a CSR certificate holder who cannot meet the
CE requirements for reasons of health, military service, or
undue hardship.
8)Provides that the CE requirements of this bill comply fully
with the guidelines for mandatory CE established by the
Department of Consumer Affairs, as specified.
9)Authorizes the Board to adopt regulations as necessary to
implement this bill.
10)Authorizes the Board to set a fee through regulation, no
greater than $40, in an amount to cover the reasonable
regulatory cost to the Board of approving CE providers.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides for the certification and regulation of CSRs, and the
regulation of shorthand reporting schools, by the Board.
2)Provides for the renewal of a CSR certificate if specified
requirements are met.
3)Sets forth specified fees for the examination for, and the
issuance and renewal of, a CSR certificate.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, costs associated with this legislation would be minor
and absorbable within existing resources.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "There are two types of
CSRs: those who work as employees of the court system and
'freelance' reporters who report depositions. Even though
deposition reporters are officers of the court, are licensed and
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must pass a famously rigorous, practical exam; are governed by
the numerous laws that address what they do and the technology
they use are constantly changing; their honesty and competence
are absolutely critical for fair and impartial justice; and the
Judicial Council requires their colleagues who work in court to
undergo continuing education, deposition reporters are currently
the only licensees in the legal profession not required to
undergo continuing education to keep their license. This bill
protects litigants and consumers by simply plugging that
loophole."
CSRs, commonly known as court reporters, typically engage in one
of two types of shorthand reporting practice. "Official"
reporters are individuals who work as employees of the court
system, and "freelance" reporters are individuals hired
privately by court reporting businesses and firms or attorneys
to report depositions. In order to obtain licensure, both types
of reporters must qualify by attending one of the 16 California
schools of court reporting authorized by the Board and passing
two written exams and a performance exam. There are currently
approximately 7,700 CSR licensees statewide. The CSR
certificate is issued for a one-year period, expiring on the
last day of the birth month of the licensee.
Court reporting schools teach shorthand machine theory and speed
building classes designed to advance skills in preparation for
the state exam. Schools offer intensive classes in English
grammar, punctuation, spelling and word usage, legal and medical
terminology, deposition and court procedures, computer aided
transcription programs and current California laws relating to
court reporting. Becoming a licensed CSR requires passing a
three-part licensing exam, usually after attending a
Board-approved court reporting school.
Analysis Prepared by : Rebecca May / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0001915
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