Who must be reimbursed for court reporting services and expert witness fees in cases of unlicensed practice?

In cases of unlicensed practice, the Board is the entity that must be reimbursed for court reporting services and expert witness fees. This requirement is rooted in the authority and responsibilities vested in the Board to regulate and enforce compliance within the massage therapy profession.

When proceedings are initiated against individuals practicing without a license, the Board incurs costs associated with gathering evidence, including hiring expert witnesses to testify about the standards and practices within the field, as well as covering the costs for court reporting services to document the proceedings. Recognizing the Board's role as the regulator, the law mandates that these expenses can be recouped from the offending party to ensure that the Board is not financially burdened while enforcing regulations that protect public safety and maintain professional standards.

The other entities mentioned in the choices do not bear this financial responsibility in the same manner. For instance, the State of Maryland, while involved in the legal framework, does not directly reimburse for these specific services in cases of unlicensed practice. Similarly, local health departments may have their own distinct functions in public health and safety but do not handle the reimbursement of expert witness fees in the same context. Lastly, the defendant, who is the party accused of unlicensed practice, typically does not cover the costs of the