House Bill No. by Representative Muscarello amends existing laws regarding the retention and ownership of notes and audio recordings made by court reporters in both criminal and civil cases. The bill stipulates that court reporters must retain all audio recordings of criminal cases indefinitely, unless the trial record is fully transcribed, in which case the recordings must be kept for at least two years post-transcription. In cases of acquittal, retention is not required. For civil cases, the recordings must be retained for a minimum of five years after the trial, or two years if fully transcribed. The bill also clarifies that the ownership of these recordings and notes belongs to the court, and if a court reporter leaves their position, all materials must remain under the court's custody and control.

Additionally, the bill updates the terminology from "tape" to "audio" recordings throughout the relevant statutes, ensuring consistency in language. It emphasizes that the court retains ownership of the recordings and notes, and outlines the responsibilities of court reporters regarding the maintenance and destruction of these materials upon court order. Overall, the proposed changes aim to enhance the clarity and management of court reporters' records in Louisiana's judicial system.

Statutes affected:
HB179 Original: