Freelancers – STENOIMPERIUM

When the Bill Comes Due – How California’s SB 988 Exposes a Nationwide Gap in Reporter Payment Protections

California’s SB 988 requires court reporting firms to pay reporters within 30 days — but attorneys have no matching deadline to pay the firms. This imbalance creates cash-flow strain, especially for small agencies, and highlights a national gap in reporter protections. With one-third of U.S. reporters in California, what happens here shapes the entire industry. Other states could — and should — follow with smarter, reciprocal legislation.