HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4835

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, July 10, 2024.

The committee on the Judiciary, to whom were referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 991) of Anne M. Gobi, Steven George Xiarhos, Jacob R. Oliveira, John J. Cronin and others for legislation to furnish transcripts of notes and fees and the petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1453) of Marjorie C. Decker, Alice Hanlon Peisch and others relative to furnishing transcripts of notes and audio recordings taken at trials or hearings, reports recommending that the accompanying bill (House, No. 4835) ought to pass.

For the committee,

MICHAEL S. DAY.

        FILED ON: 6/28/2024

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4835

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act concerning furnishing transcripts of notes and fees.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 221 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out section 88 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

Section 88. Upon request of the presiding justice or any party, the transcriber shall furnish a transcript of their notes or audio recording, or any part thereof, taken at a trial or hearing, for which they shall be paid by the party requesting it at the rate of $4.50 per page for the original and $1.50 per page for each copy ordered. If requested by a party, the transcriber shall furnish an electronic reproduction at an amount not to exceed $7.50 for each electronic reproduction requested. All electronic reproductions shall be in an open-source format as specified by the office of transcription services. Copies, if so requested by an indigent person or counsel for an indigent person, shall be paid at $.15 per page. In the event that a rush copy is ordered by the presiding justice or any party, the rate shall be $6.75 per page for the original and $2.25 per page for each copy; provided that, if requested by a party, the transcriber shall furnish an electronic reproduction at an amount not to exceed $7.50 for each electronic reproduction; and provided further, that copies, if so requested by an indigent person or counsel for an indigent person, shall be paid at $.15 per page. If a transcript is ordered by the presiding justice or, in a criminal case, by the district attorney, payment therefor shall be made at the same rate by the administrative office of the trial court upon a voucher approved by the presiding justice and, in a criminal case, the charges for transcripts furnished to a justice and to the district attorney shall be taxed like other expenses. If the presiding justice orders that a statement given to the police be transcribed, all parties shall receive a copy and payment therefor shall be made at the same rate by the administrative office of the trial court upon a voucher approved by the presiding justice.