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An Act To Enhance and Clarify the Small Claims System
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §7484-A, sub-§3  is enacted to read:
 
3.  Recording; waiver of fees.     Rules adopted under this section must require the electronic recording of all hearings under this chapter.
 
Notwithstanding any law, rule or order, if the court determines that a party may proceed in forma pauperis, the court may not require that a transcript or copy of a record be submitted by that party in any related proceeding or appeal unless the court has waived payment of any necessary fees.
 
SUMMARY
This bill makes changes in the small claims procedures. First, it requires the court to record all small claims hearings. Second, it prohibits the court from requiring that a transcript or record be submitted in any related proceeding or appeal if the party was given leave to proceed in forma pauperis unless the court has waived the fees related to the preparation of the transcript or record.