BILL REQ. #:  Z-0954.2 

Prefiled 01/04/10. Read first time 01/11/10.   Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

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

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) Before beginning to interpret, every interpreter appointed under this chapter 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) Upon certification or registration and every two years thereafter, interpreters certified by the administrative office of the courts or qualified interpreters registered by the administrative office of the courts in a noncertified language 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.
     (3) The appointing authority shall require any person serving as an interpreter for the court or agency to state the person's name on the record and whether the person is an interpreter certified by the administrative office of the courts or a qualified interpreter registered by the administrative office of the courts in a noncertified language. If the person is an interpreter certified by the administrative office of the courts or a qualified interpreter registered by the administrative office of the courts in a noncertified language, the interpreter need not take the oath required in subsection (1) of this section or submit the interpreter's qualifications on the record. If the person is not an interpreter certified by the administrative office of the courts or a qualified interpreter registered by the administrative office of the courts in a noncertified language, the interpreter must take the oath required under subsection (1) of this section and submit the interpreter's qualifications on the record.