SB472 Summary

• Creates the "Ethics for Court Reporters Act" establishing professional standards for court reporters and court reporting firms in Alabama, with oversight by the Alabama Board of Court Reporters (ABCR).

• Prohibits court reporters and firms from giving gifts, incentives, or gratuities to attorneys, clients, or their representatives, with a $100 aggregate annual limit on nominal gifts and no gifts permitted in exchange for future work.

• Requires all court reporting firms operating in Alabama to register with ABCR and appoint a designated representative who must hold a Certified Court Reporter (CCR) certificate and pass an ethics examination.

• Establishes grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of court reporter certificates and firm licenses, including failure to take accurate stenographic notes, alteration of notes or transcripts, violations of gifting rules, and failure to timely provide transcripts.

• Imposes tiered fines for violations: first offense $5,000, second offense $10,000, third offense $25,000, with suspension of licenses for two years after three violations; violations classified as business offenses.