2005 Rhode Island Code - § 33-22-19.1 — Recording of all probate court proceedings.

    (a) At the request of any party thereto, or at the request of the probate judge presiding thereat, any proceedings held in probate court shall be recorded by the probate clerk, by either electronic or stenographic means (the means utilized to be determined by the probate clerk), which means are reasonably designed to produce a true and accurate verbatim transcription of such proceedings.

   (b) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a party from bringing in a stenographer, at the party's own expense, to a probate court proceeding.

   (c) No city or town shall be obligated to assist a party to produce a written or typed transcription from any proceeding other than in instances where an appeal is claimed pursuant to the provisions of § 33-23-1 et seq. In the event such an appeal is claimed, the appellant shall be responsible for all transcription costs. If the city or town utilizes electronic means to record proceedings, the probate clerk shall, upon request, assist any party to such appeal in producing a true and accurate verbatim written transcript of such proceeding. Such assistance shall consist of providing the party with suitable space within the building within which the probate clerk does business, in which a stenographer, brought in at the parties' sole expense, may produce a written transcription. Provided further, that the party requesting the transcript shall be charged for all out of pocket costs of the probate clerk incurred in preparing the transcript. Physical possession of the original recording or transcription notes shall remain with the probate court unless otherwise ordered by the superior court. The written transcript and electronic recording shall be deemed a public record.