Bill
S 1168
Sets standardized transcript rates (orig $4.50/pg; copies $1.50; indigent $0.15; rush $6.75/$2.25) and CPI-based increases every 5 years; court administration handles payments.
Note on record inconsistency
- The materials provided include two different bills labeled S 1168 from different jurisdictions: (A) a Massachusetts Senate bill titled “An Act concerning furnishing transcripts of notes and fees” (Senate Docket No. 1575, filed Jan. 16, 2025), and (B) an Idaho Senate draft titled the “Standard Protection for All Resources on Kids' Devices Act.” The title you requested (furnishing transcripts of notes and fees) matches the Massachusetts text below. This summary therefore focuses on the Massachusetts transcript-fee bill and highlights key provisions, affected parties, and procedural status. If you want a separate summary of the Idaho device-filter bill, I can provide that as well.
Bill purpose and intent
- To set (and periodically adjust) statutory per‑page rates for transcribers who furnish transcripts of notes or audio recordings from trials or hearings, and to establish differential rates for originals, copies, rush transcripts, and transcripts requested by indigent parties.
Key provisions
- Replaces existing Section 88 of Chapter 221 (Mass. Gen. Laws) with new rate structure:
- Standard transcript (original): $4.50 per page.
- Each copy: $1.50 per page.
- Copies for indigent persons or counsel for an indigent person: $0.15 per page.
- Rush transcript (ordered by presiding justice or any party): $6.75 per page for the original; $2.25 per page for each copy.
- Rush copies for indigent persons: $0.23 per page.
- Payment rules:
- If the presiding justice, or in criminal cases the district attorney, orders a transcript, payment is made by the Administrative Office of the Trial Court upon an approved voucher.
- Transcripts furnished to a justice or district attorney are taxed like other expenses.
- If the presiding justice orders transcription of a police statement, all parties get a copy and the court’s administrative office pays per the same rates.
- CPI-linked adjustment:
- Beginning July 1, 2030, and every fifth July 1 thereafter, the statutory rates shall be increased to reflect cumulative annual percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index. Adjusted amounts are to be published.
- Implementation:
- The Office of Transcription Services or the presiding justice of the Administrative Office of the Trial Court shall issue directives to implement the section.
Who is affected
- Court transcribers (rate payers and service providers).
- Parties to trials and hearings who request transcripts (public and private litigants).
- Indigent litigants (lower copy rates).
- Trial courts and district attorneys (when they order transcripts — payment handled by the court administration).
- The Administrative Office of the Trial Court (administration and payment processing; issuing directives for implementation).
Procedural / timeline status (based on provided docket)
- Filed in Massachusetts Senate (Senate Docket No. 1575) on Jan. 16, 2025; presented by Senator Joan B. Lovely with multiple co‑petitioners.
- Referred to The Judiciary Committee; listed as a Judiciary matter.
- Hearing and legislative action dates in the materials are mixed; a hearing is noted for 04/08/2025 (01:00 PM–02:30 PM in A‑2) in the provided summary. Confirm current docket/committee calendar for up‑to‑date hearing/committee actions.
Practical impact
- Standardizes and updates transcript pricing statewide, creates a mechanism to adjust rates for inflation every five years, and reduces costs for indigent parties obtaining copies. It clarifies payment responsibility when the court or prosecutor orders transcripts and centralizes implementation through court administrative offices.
If you’d like: I can (1) produce a side‑by‑side comparison with the existing statutory text, (2) prepare a brief fiscal impact note, or (3) summarize the separate Idaho “kids’ devices” bill that also appears in the provided materials.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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