HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3237        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Marjorie C. Decker and Paul McMurtry

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act concerning furnishing transcripts of notes and fees.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3237        FILED ON: 1/16/2025

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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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. 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 transcript 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; and provided further, that copies, if so requested by an indigent person or counsel for an indigent person, shall be paid at $.23 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.

Beginning on the first day of July 2030, and on the first day of each fifth July thereafter, the rates and fees set forth in section 88 shall be increased to reflect the cumulative annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index and published as the adjusted amounts as used in this section. The (1) office of transcription services or (2) the presiding justice of the administrative office of the trial court shall issue directives to implement the purposes of this section.