HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6450
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
February 28, 2010
Title: An act relating to requiring the department of licensing to establish continuing education requirements for court reporters.
Brief Description: Requiring the department of licensing to establish continuing education requirements for court reporters.
Sponsors: Senators Eide, Kauffman and Shin.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Judiciary: 2/17/10, 2/22/10 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/28/10, 96-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Pedersen, Chair; Goodman, Vice Chair; Rodne, Ranking Minority Member; Shea, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kelley, Kirby, Ormsby, Roberts, Ross and Warnick.
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
Court reporters must be certified by the Department of Licensing (DOL). The DOL establishes the requirements for certification and renewal of certification. A person may become certified in Washington by passing the court reporter examination or being certified by the National Court Reporters Association, the National Stenomask Verbatim Reporters Association, or by another state.
The DOL may establish advisory committees whose membership must include representatives of professional court reporting and stenomasking associations, and representatives from accredited schools offering court reporting degrees to advise the DOL of testing procedures, professional standards, disciplinary activities, and any other necessary matters.
Summary of Bill:
The DOL must establish continuing education requirements for court reporters.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The costs of this bill will be covered by the professional licensing fees currently paid by court reporters. A few court reporters recently violated the law, but if continuing education requirements were imposed, those court reporters would not have faced those issues. Changes in technology happen frequently and court reporters must be able to keep up with those changes.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Rick Jensen and Roger Flygare, Washington Court Reporters Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.