The Tennessee Court Reporters Association (TCRA) was formed to establish and maintain a proper standard of proficiency in the profession of court reporting. We hope this website will provide guidance and will help in establishing consistency in court reporting throughout Tennessee. As a member or guest of TCRA, your input is a valuable part of the process. We welcome
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and suggestions. If you wish to send us written correspondence, the mailing address is 109 Walton Avenue, Smyrna, TN 37167.
The
Code of Ethics for TCRA adheres to what was adopted by NCRA, and establishes
guidelines all reporters should follow in their daily business affairs. Of particular importance is Ethics Code #9,
which states, “Maintain the integrity of the reporting profession”. We are tasked with the responsibility of
abstaining from improprieties, or the appearance of improprieties. Consider the effect or possible effect of the
decisions you make, the effect upon yourself and others.
New Workers' Comp Law
Regarding Sole Proprietors Does Not Include Court Reporters
A law (Public Chapter
1041 of the Acts of 2008)
was passed
requiring sole proprietors in the construction industry to have
workers' comp insurance coverage. The law applies only to the
construction industry; it does not apply to court reporters. This law was
passed in 2008 and is effective 12/31/2009.
For those of you who
have voiced concerns that this law affects the court reporting profession,
TCRA’s lobbyist, Don Baltimore, has checked into the legislation and finds it
does not affect court reporters. Evidently, it has created an uproar
in the construction industry, though everyone at the time
thought it was OK.
TCRA is of the opinion that
Subsection 1(a)(5) of the recently revised TCA 24-9-136 prohibits contracting between parties of interest within
Tennessee. The present wording should not be interpreted as anything less
than a prohibition of this practice. Any and all parties engaging in this
practice at present are advised that it is risky to engage in any such
arrangements, as the wording of the statute will be clarified to a further
degree in the coming months.
"Ethics... Do they really matter?"
