BILL NUMBER: SB 671INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Price FEBRUARY 18, 2011 An act to add Section 8024.8 to the Business and Professions Code, relating to shorthand reporters. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 671, as introduced, Price. Shorthand reporters: continuing education requirements. Existing law provides for the certification and regulation of shorthand reporters by the Court Reporters Board of California in the Department of Consumer Affairs, and provides for the regulation of shorthand reporting schools by the board. Existing law provides for the renewal of a shorthand reporter's certificate if specified requirements are met. This bill would require the board to establish, on or before July 1, 2012, minimum approved continuing education requirements for renewal of a shorthand reporter's certificate, with certain exceptions, and would require the board to establish a procedure for approving providers of continuing education courses, as specified. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 8024.8 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read: 8024.8. (a) On or before July 1, 2012, the board shall establish minimum continuing education requirements for renewal of a certificate issued pursuant to this chapter. On and after that date, to renew his or her certificate, a certificate holder shall, in addition to the requirements of Section 8024, certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion of the minimum continuing education requirements. (b) The board shall also establish a procedure for approving providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with the requirements of this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section. (c) The board may establish exceptions to the continuing education requirements of this section for a certificate holder who cannot meet the continuing education requirements for reasons of health, military service, or undue hardship. (d) The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166. (e) The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.