To: All Certified Court Reporters:

RE: Ethics Advisory Notice and May 8, 2009 Board Meeting conclusion on digital signatures

Please be advised, that the Board has come to the decision that digital signatures are not legally enforceable under Louisiana law. However, this decision was not based on digital signatures’ affect on out-of-state firms, contracting, a reporter not having a printer to printout a transcript, or for whatever other reasons that have been discussed over the past few months. Our decision was based solely on the fact that Louisiana State law does not support or recognize digital signatures for transcripts. That’s not to say that legislation could be proposed and passed where digital signatures will be recognized. The Board will cross that bridge if and when that time comes.

Please be advised, that this is an official notification to all certified court reporters in and for the State of Louisiana. The Ethics Advisory Notice sent out on bright yellow paper with the 2009 state seal/stamp is to be upheld by all certified court reporters in and for the State of Louisiana. The Board did vote on May 8, 2009 to no longer hold in abeyance the last 26 words of paragraph 4 of the Ethics Advisory Notice. This means that you have to produce a hard copy transcript, review and approve the accuracy of the transcript before executing the certification; the CSR Board emphasizes that this means the CCR must review a final, printed copy of the transcript to which the certification page is attached If a certified court reporter is found guilty of not following the State Board Statutes and Rules then they will be subject to the disciplinary procedures of the Board.

This also means that you cannot send blank or pre-signed certification pages with a disk. You must have the final printed transcript with your certification page fully completed and attached in order to be in compliance.

Judge Perrell Fuselier, Chairman of the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The office will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2009 for National Memorial Day.

NOTICES:

Legislative Notes: HB555 was deferred in committee on May 13, 2009 and HB599 passed on the floor that same afternoon. You can review these and all other bills of interest from the Legislative website at www.legis.louisiana.gov .

Machine needed: If anyone has a machine that they would like to rent or sale for a reasonable price please contact Ms. L. Brittiny Mays at Brittiny.mays@gmail.com or 225-665-2421. 

The CSR BOARD is now utilizing email as a primary way of contacting certified court reporters. It is very important that you visit the Reporter Login page of the website at www.lacourtreporterboard.com/login.htm to update your information. It is imperative that you either supply or update your email address in this same area. 

For the most up to date information you should check the News & Events page of our website at www.lacourtreporterboard.com/news.htm .  Detailed information may be found in the meeting minutes and can be located under the BOARD MINUTES tab on the home page.  Only approved Board meeting minutes can be posted. 

If you have any questions please contact the LA CSR BOARD OFFICE, M-F, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.