Assistive Listening Systems (ALS)
A typical ALS is an audio induction wireloop, an AM or FM radio transmitter and receivers, or an infrared transmitter and receivers. California law says that an ALS must be available to you in any assembly area that has a permanently installed public address system. This applies to any assembly area with a capacity of 50 or more people and only if it was constructed or remodeled after 1992 (or those with a capacity of 100 or more if built or remodeled after July 1989). This law is enforced by local building departments or, for state facilities, by the Office of the State Architect. Complaints may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Justice.
A state court must provide you with an ALS or “real time” computer-aided transcription when you ask for one, if you are hard of hearing and you are a plaintiff, defendant, witness, attorney, judicial employee, judge or juror. The policy in federal court is similar.