COURT REPORTERS BOARD OF CALIFORNIA

ORDER OF ADOPTION - FINAL REGULATORY TEXT EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 10, 2007

Article 8. Denial, Suspension and Revocation of Certificates
Adopt Section 2475 as follows:

§ 2475. Professional Standards of Practice. (a) Consistent with any action that may be taken by the Board pursuant to Sections 8025 and 8025.1 of the Code, the Board may cite or discipline any certificate holder, including suspending, revoking, or denying the certification of a certified shorthand reporter, for violation of professional standards of practice.
(b) Every person under the jurisdiction of the Board who holds a license or certificate, or temporary license or certificate, shall comply with the following professional standards of practice:
(1) Make truthful and accurate public statements when advertising professional qualifications and competence and/or services offered to the public.
(2) Maintain confidentiality of information which is confidential as a result of rule, regulation, statute, court order, or deposition proceedings.
(3) Perform professional services within the scope of one’s competence, including promptly notifying the parties present or the presiding officer upon determining that one is not competent to continue an assignment. A licensee may continue to report proceedings after such notification upon stipulation on the record of all parties present or upon order of the presiding officer.
(4) Comply with legal and/or agreed-to delivery dates and/or provide prompt notification of delays.
(5) In addition to the requirements of Section 2025.220(a)(5) of the Code of Civil Procedure, promptly notify, when reasonably able to do so, all known parties in attendance at a deposition or civil court proceeding and/or their attorneys of a request for preparation of all or any part of a transcript, including a rough draft, in electronic or paper form. No such notification is necessary when the request is from the court.
(6) Act without bias toward, or prejudice against, any parties and/or their attorneys.
(7) Not enter into, arrange, or participate in a relationship that compromises the impartiality of the certified shorthand reporter, including, but not limited to, a relationship in which compensation for reporting services is based upon the outcome of the proceeding.
(8) Other than the receipt of compensation for reporting services, neither directly or indirectly give nor receive any gift, incentive, reward, or anything of value to or from any person or entity associated with a proceeding being reported. Such persons or entities shall include, but not be limited to, attorneys, employees of attorneys, clients, witnesses, insurers, underwriters, or any agents or representatives thereof. Exceptions to the foregoing restriction shall be as follows: (A) giving or receiving items that do not exceed $100 (in the aggregate for any combination of items given and/or received) per above-described person or entity per calendar year; or (B) providing services without charge for which the certified shorthand reporter reasonably expects to be reimbursed from the Transcript Reimbursement Fund, Sections 8030 et seq. of the Code, or otherwise for an “indigent person” as defined by Section 8030.4(f) of the Code.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 8007, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 8025, 8025.1, and 8030, Business and Professions Code.