IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS TO GR 11

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ORDER NO. 25700-A-812

     The Court Interpreter Certification Advisory Committee having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendments to GR 11, and the Court having approved the proposed amendments for publication;

     Now, therefore, it is hereby

     ORDERED:

     (a) That pursuant to the provisions of GR 9(g), the proposed amendments as attached hereto are to be published for comment in the Washington Reports, Washington Register, Washington State Bar Association and Office of the Administrator for the Court's websites in expeditiously.

     (b) The purpose statement as required by GR 9(e), is published solely for the information of the Bench, Bar and other interested parties.

     (c) Comments are to be submitted to the Clerk of the Supreme Court by either U.S. Mail or Internet E-Mail by no later than April 29, 2005. Comments may be sent to the following addresses: P.O. Box 40929, Olympia, Washington 98504-0929, or Lisa.Bausch@courts.wa.gov. Comments submitted by e-mail message must be limited to 1500 words.

     DATED at Olympia, Washington this 3rd day of March 2005.

	For the Court
	Gerry L. Alexander
	CHIEF JUSTICE

     Supreme Court Order #25700-B-366 established the Interpreter Advisory Commission on June 3, 1999. The order directed the functions and membership of the Commission, and set a period of operation for five (5) years. The order was set to expire on June 3, 2004. Subsequent Supreme Court Order #25700-B-437 was signed on May 11, 2004, and granted an extension of one (1) year to reorganize the Commission and define its future mission.

     The purpose of the new court rule is to formalize the responsibilities and membership of the Commission in a format that is indefinite and would only require amendment if circumstances change. The Interpreter Program (administered by AOC) has continued needs from an oversight and policy making body. Those needs are specific and will not change drastically throughout the evolution of the Interpreter Program.

     The proposal identifies members of the Commission and outlines functions of three (3) committees that would operate under the Commission's direction.

•	The Issues Committee is assigned issues, complaints, and/or requests from interpreters for review and response. If the situation cannot be resolved at the Issues Committee level, the matter will be submitted by written referral to the Disciplinary Committee.
•	The Disciplinary Committee has the authority to decertify and deny certification of interpreters based on the disciplinary procedures for: (a) violations of continuing education/court hour requirements, (b) failure to comply with Interpreter Code of Conduct (GR 11.2) or professional standards, and (3) violations of law that may interfere with their duties as a certified court interpreter. The Disciplinary Committee will decide on appeal any issues submitted by the Issues Committee.
•	The Judicial and Court Administration Education Committee shall provide ongoing opportunities for training and resources to judicial officers and court administrators related to court interpretation improvement.

     While the current Court Interpreter Advisory Commission has developed a comprehensive Interpreter Certification Program and a Policy Manual directing the operation of the Interpreter Program, further partnership between the Commission and AOC is necessary for various reasons. First, an oversight body is needed to resolve potential disputes related to daily decisions by AOC staff to the Interpreter Program in the areas of continuing education, discipline, and appeals. Secondly, the Commission approves policies that direct daily operation of the Interpreter Program. Additionally, the Commission includes pivotal representatives of the court community who can educate their peers on the use of language interpreters in court through judicial and court administrator education. Finally, the Commission serves as an advisory body related to testing and training interpreter candidates.

     The Commission will not be responsible for managing the Interpreter Program budget. Budgetary responsibility will continue to lie with the Administrative Office of the Courts.

     The recommendation is to add the court rule on Purpose and Scope of Interpreter Commission as GR 11.1, and shift the existing Code of Conduct for Court Interpreters to GR 11.2 and Telephonic Interpretation to GR 11.3.

     (b) Jurisdiction and Powers. All certified court interpreters who are certified in the state of Washington by AOC are subject to rules and regulations specified in the Interpreter Program Manual. The Commission shall establish three committees to fulfill ongoing functions related to issues, discipline, and judicial/court administration education. Each committee shall consist of three Commission members and one member shall be identified as the chair.

     (1) The Issues Committee is assigned issues, complaints, and/or requests from interpreters for review and response. If the situation cannot be resolved at the Issues Committee level, the matter will be submitted by written referral to the Disciplinary Committee.

     (2) The Disciplinary Committee has the authority to decertify and deny certification of interpreters based on the disciplinary procedures for: (a) violations of continuing education/court hour requirements, (b) failure to comply with Interpreter Code of Conduct (GR 11.2) or professional standards, or (3) violations of law that may interfere with their duties as a certified court interpreter. The Disciplinary Committee will decide on appeal any issues submitted by the Issues Committee.

     (3) The Judicial and Court Administration Education Committee shall provide ongoing opportunities for training and resources to judicial officers and court administrators related to court interpretation improvement.

     (c) Establishment. The Supreme Court shall appoint members to the Interpreter Commission. The Supreme Court shall designate the chair of the Commission. The Commission shall include representatives from the following areas of expertise: judicial officers from the appellate and each trial court level (3), interpreter (2), court administrator (1), attorney (1), public member (2), representative from ethnic organization (1), and AOC representative (1). The term for a member of the Commission shall be three years. Members are eligible to serve a subsequent 3 year term. The Commission shall consist of eleven members. Members shall only serve on one committee and committees may be supplemented by ad hoc professionals as designated by the chair. Ad hoc members may not serve as the chair of a committee.

     (d) Regulations. Policies outlining rules and regulations directing the interpreter program are specified in the Interpreter Program Manual. The Commission, through the Issues Committee and Disciplinary Committee, shall enforce the policies of the interpreter program. Interpreter program policies may be modified at any time by the Commission and AOC.

     (e) Existing Law Unchanged. This rule shall not expand, narrow, or otherwise affect existing law, including but not limited to RCW chapter 2.43.

     (f) Meetings. The Commission shall hold meetings as determined necessary by the chair. Meetings of the Commission are open to the public except for executive sessions and disciplinary meetings related to action against a certified interpreter.

     (g) Immunity from Liability. No cause of action against the Commission, its standing members or ad hoc members appointed by the Commission, shall accrue in favor of a certified court interpreter or any other person arising from any act taken pursuant to this rule, provided that the Commission members or ad hoc members acted in good faith. The burden of proving that the acts were not taken in good faith shall be on the party asserting it.

     A language interpreter who violates any of the provisions of this code is subject to a citation for contempt, disciplinary action or any other sanction that may be imposed by law. The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish and maintain high standards of conduct to preserve the integrity and independence of the adjudicative system.

     (a) A language interpreter, like an officer of the court, shall maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct that promote public confidence in the administration of justice.

     (b) A language interpreter shall interpret or translate the material thoroughly and precisely, adding or omitting nothing, and stating as nearly as possible what has been stated in the language of the speaker, giving consideration to variations in grammar and syntax for both languages involved. A language interpreter shall use the level of communication that best conveys the meaning of the source, and shall not interject the interpreters personal moods or attitudes.

     (c) When a language interpreter has any reservation about ability to satisfy an assignment competently, the interpreter shall immediately convey that reservation to the parties and to the court. If the communication mode or language of the non-English speaking person cannot be readily interpreted, the interpreter shall notify the appointing authority or the court.

     (d) No language interpreter shall render services in any matter in which the interpreter is a potential witness, associate, friend, or relative of a contending party, unless a specific exception is allowed by the appointing authority for good cause noted on the record. Neither shall the interpreter serve in any matter in which the interpreter has an interest, financial or otherwise, in the outcome. Nor shall any language interpreter serve in a matter where the interpreter has participated in the choice of counsel.

     (e) Except in the interpreters official capacity, no language interpreter shall discuss, report, or comment upon a matter in which the person serves as interpreter. Interpreters shall not disclose any communication that is privileged by law without the written consent of the parties to the communication, or pursuant to court order.

     (f) A language interpreter shall report immediately to the appointing authority in the proceeding any solicitation or effort by another to induce or encourage the interpreter to violate any law, any provision of the rules which may be approved by the courts for the practice of language interpreting, or any provisions of this Code of Conduct.

     (g) Language interpreters shall not give legal advice and shall refrain from the unauthorized practice of law.

     (b) RCW 2.43 and GR 11.1 2 must be followed regarding the interpreter's qualifications and other matters.

     (c) Electronic equipment used during the hearing must ensure that the non-English speaking party hears all statements made by the participants. If electronic equipment is not available for simultaneous interpreting, the hearing shall be conducted to allow consecutive interpretation of each

sentence.

     (d) Attorney-client consultations must be interpreted confidentially.

     (e) Written documents which would normally be orally translated by the interpreter must be read aloud to allow full oral translation of the material by the interpreter.

     (f) An audio recording shall be made of all statements made on the record during their interpretation, and the same shall be preserved.

     Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above material occurred in the copy filed by the State Supreme Court and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

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