§47-27-1. Fair trade standards for use of court reporter services.

(a) The purpose of this article is to ensure the integrity of the use of court reporter services by establishing standards for private court reporters and entities providing or arranging for court reporting services. It is declared the policy of the State of West Virginia that fair, ethical and impartial selection and use of court reporting services are integral to the equitable administration of justice.

(b) For purposes of this article, "court reporter" means private court reporters providing court reporting services, as well as businesses, entities or firms that provide or arrange for court reporting services, and "original transcript" means the original transcription requested by a party along with a certified copy of same for purposes of filing with a court.

(c) The provisions described in this article apply to court reporting services performed in this state that are:

(1) Provided by a court reporter, wherever based, in connection with a legal proceeding commenced or maintained in this state; and

(2) Provided by a court reporter based in this state, whether the parties appear in person or by remote means.

(d) The provisions of this article do not apply to the conduct of official court reporters or their substitutes, appointed by judges pursuant to section one, article seven, chapter fifty-one of this code, when acting in their official capacities, reporters of government proceedings not relating to a legal proceeding, local or federal courts, providing real-time services for hard-of-hearing litigants, the provision of pro bono services to litigants who would qualify for the same through West Virginia Legal Aid or other similar organizations, workers' compensation proceedings or legal proceedings recorded with sound-and-visual devices. A legal proceeding includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) A court proceeding;

(2) A deposition;

(3) An arbitration hearing; and

(4) An examination under oath.

(e) Court reporters, businesses, entities, insurers or firms providing or arranging for court reporting services are subject to the provisions of this section even if the businesses, entities, insurers or firms are not subject to registration or other regulatory oversight in the state.