House Bill 1175

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-13-11 AND 9-13-118, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT COURT REPORTERS WHO ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS FROM ENGAGING IN FREELANCE COURT REPORTING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9-13-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-13-11. (1) The judge or chancellor may in his discretion at any time remove the court reporter from office for incompetency * * *or, neglect of duty, and may appoint a court reporter to fill the vacancy as often as such removals occur. The appointment of a successor to the court reporter shall be made, and he shall qualify in the same manner, and he shall comply with all the other requirements, as is provided in the foregoing sections of this chapter.

(2) Any court reporter who is an employee of the Administrative Office of Courts and who engages in freelance court reporting shall be removed from office.

SECTION 2. Section 9-13-118, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-13-118. (1) Any person who: (a) undertakes or attempts to undertake the practice of court reporting for remuneration without having first procured a certificate or temporary permission under Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-123; or (b) knowingly files false information with the board for the purpose of obtaining certification or temporary permission under Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-123 shall be subject to a civil fine to be imposed by the board of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(2) Each day's violation shall be considered a separate infraction.

(3) A person who is not authorized to practice court reporting under Sections 9-13-101 through 9-13-123 shall not bring or maintain an action to recover fees for court reporting services that the person performed in violation of this section.

(4) Any court reporter who is an employee of the Administrative Office of Courts and who engages in freelance court reporting shall be removed from office.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.