(TRENTON) -Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Vincent Prieto to help small, local businesses that provide court reporting service, better compete with larger companies was advanced by a Senate committee on Monday.
“This bill intends to level the playing field for small local businesses that are more frequently forced to compete at a competitive disadvantage with larger, out-of-state firms that do not maintain similar standards,” said Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson). “Small business owners, particularly in this economy, can use all the help they can get.”
The bill (A-1436) would require the owner or operator of a court reporting agency that provides court reporting services to have a certificate granted by the State Board of Court Reporting, or have a registration certificate granted by the board in accordance with the bill.
The board licenses and regulates certified shorthand reporters in New Jersey.
Under the bill, court reporting agencies, registered pursuant to the bill, would be subjected to board regulations, and would be required to employ only court reporters certified by the board or temporary court reporters registered with the board.
The bill was advanced with a 5-0 vote by the Senate Commerce Committee, and now goes to the full Senate.