House Bill No. by Representative Muscarello aims to address the shortage of court reporters in Louisiana by enacting new provisions related to digital and remote court reporting. The bill introduces R.S. 13:981.1(C), which allows courts to utilize digital transcription platforms for preserving court records in all proceedings. It permits certified court reporters to transcribe records virtually using court-approved cloud-based systems, eliminating the requirement for their physical presence during proceedings when such systems are in use. Additionally, court personnel may operate and monitor the digital recording systems, provided they are trained in best practices, although they do not need to be digitally certified.

The proposed law retains existing certification requirements for court reporters and allows judges to declare a shortage of certified reporters, enabling the appointment of licensed reporters from other states. Overall, the bill seeks to modernize court reporting practices, enhance accessibility, and address the ongoing challenges posed by reporter shortages in the judicial system.