BILL REQ. #:  H-4635.1 

READ FIRST TIME 01/25/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to oath requirements for interpreters; and amending RCW 2.43.050 and 2.43.020.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 2.43.050 and 1989 c 358 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Upon certification or registration and every two years thereafter, certified or registered interpreters shall take an oath, affirming that the interpreter will make a true interpretation to the person being examined of all the proceedings in a language which the person understands, and that the interpreter will repeat the statements of the person being examined to the court or agency conducting the proceedings, in the English language, to the best of the interpreter's skill and judgment.
     (2) Before any person serving as an interpreter for the court or agency begins to interpret, the appointing authority shall require the interpreter to state the person's name on the record and whether the person is a certified or registered interpreter. If the interpreter is not a certified or registered interpreter, the interpreter must submit the interpreter's qualifications on the record.
     (3) Before beginning to interpret, every interpreter appointed under this chapter shall take an oath ((affirming)) unless the interpreter is a certified or registered interpreter who has taken the oath within the last two years as required in subsection (1) of this section. The oath must affirm that the interpreter will make a true interpretation to the person being examined of all the proceedings in a language which the person understands, and that the interpreter will repeat the statements of the person being examined to the court or agency conducting the proceedings, in the English language, to the best of the interpreter's skill and judgment.

Sec. 2   RCW 2.43.020 and 2005 c 282 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     As used in this chapter:
     (1) "Non-English-speaking person" means any person involved in a legal proceeding who cannot readily speak or understand the English language, but does not include hearing-impaired persons who are covered under chapter 2.42 RCW.
     (2) "Qualified interpreter" means a person who is able readily to interpret or translate spoken and written English for non-English-speaking persons and to interpret or translate oral or written statements of non-English-speaking persons into spoken English.
     (3) "Legal proceeding" means a proceeding in any court in this state, grand jury hearing, or hearing before an inquiry judge, or before an administrative board, commission, agency, or licensing body of the state or any political subdivision thereof.
     (4) "Certified interpreter" means an interpreter who is certified by the administrative office of the courts.
     (5) "Appointing authority" means the presiding officer or similar official of any court, department, board, commission, agency, licensing authority, or legislative body of the state or of any political subdivision thereof.
     (6) "Registered interpreter" means an interpreter who is registered by the administrative office of the courts.