MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Bailey

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-13-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT APPLICATIONS FOR CERTIFICATION AS A COURT REPORTER SHALL NOT REQUIRE A PHOTOGRAPH; TO AMEND SECTION 9-13-121, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 9-13-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-13-107. No person shall be qualified or authorized to report testimony or proceedings relevant to matters under the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Mississippi, all state agencies or the Legislature or any committee or subcommittee thereof, or where appeal to any court of the State of Mississippi is allowable by law, unless such person satisfies the provisions of Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-121 with respect to certification. Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-121 shall not be construed to apply to any proceedings that take place outside the borders of the State of Mississippi.

Every applicant for examination for certification as a Certified Shorthand Reporter shall file with the person designated by the board a written application in the form prescribed by the board which shall not require a photograph. At the time the application is filed, the applicant shall pay to the board an application fee established by regulation, which fee shall not be subject to withdrawal by the applicant in the event he should decide not to take the examination or is denied the right to take the examination. Upon request, the board shall forward to any interested person application forms together with the text of this chapter and copies of regulations promulgated by the board under the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 2. Section 9-13-121, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-13-121. (1) Any person graduating from a National Court Reporters Association approved school, whether in Mississippi or out-of-state, after July 2, 1994, with a degree in court reporting shall be given certification without examination.

(2) The Board of Court Reporters shall implement a true Certified Shorthand Reporter's (CSR) examination wherein all examinees are able to pass each part of said examination in legs (one part at a time). The speeds for the CSR examination shall be: Q & A: 200 words a minute; Jury Charge: 180 words a minute; and Literary: 160 words a minute. All temporary permits shall be stayed until the board has provided such an examination.

(3) Examinations for certification shall be given not less than each six (6) months, at a time and place designated by the board. Notification of such examinations shall be given each applicant in writing not less than thirty (30) days before examination date.

(4)  * * * If after three (3) consecutive examinations the applicant holding the temporary certificate has not qualified for certification, the applicant shall be permitted a hearing before the board. If the applicant has passed at least two (2) parts of the examination, the applicant will be given an extension of not more than one (1) year.

(5) Should any official court reporting position become available, such position must be filled only by an actual tested applicant.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.