SB3835 Summary

• Renames the "Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984" to the "Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters and Voice Writer Reporters Act" to include voice writer reporting as a regulated profession effective July 1, 2021.

• Expands the definition of shorthand reporting to include voice writing using closed microphone voice dictation technology capable of digital text translation, with separate certification requirements and examination standards.

• Removes the 10-year active practice requirement for Board members and allows one Board member to be a certified voice writer reporter from another jurisdiction, while reducing minimum Board members from six to five certified shorthand reporters.

• Establishes certification pathways for voice writer reporters including training completion, national examination passage (such as Certified Verbatim Reporter certification), and equivalency recognition from other jurisdictions.

• Updates all references throughout Illinois statutes to recognize certified voice writer reporters alongside certified shorthand reporters in administrative proceedings, licensing hearings, and court reporting functions.