HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6571

BYSenators Newhouse and Rinehart

Revising provisions for interpreters in legal proceedings.

House Committe on Judiciary

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Crane, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Republican Member; Belcher, Brough, Dellwo, Forner, Hargrove, Inslee, P. King, R. Meyers, Moyer, H. Myers, Schmidt, Scott, D. Sommers, Tate and Wineberry.

House Staff:Regina Jones (786-7191)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

It is the policy of Washington state to secure the constitutional rights of non-English-speaking persons in legal proceedings by appointing an interpreter to assist them.  Whenever an interpreter is appointed to assist a non-English-speaking person in a legal proceeding, the authority presiding over the proceeding is required, absent a written waiver by the non-English-speaking person, to appoint a qualified or certified interpreter.

Beginning on July 1, 1990, when a non-English-speaking person is compelled to appear in a legal proceeding, the authority presiding over the proceeding must use the services of an interpreter who has been certified by the Office of the Administrator for the Courts unless good cause is found.

SUMMARY:

Except when a certified interpreter is required or when a appointment of an interpreter has been waived in writing, a qualified interpreter must be appointed when a non-English-speaking person is involved in a legal proceeding.

Several sections governing interpreters for non-English-speaking person are recodified in a different chapter.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Hector Gonzalez, Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The bill will ensure that there will always be a qualified or certified interpreter at a proceeding when one is necessary.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.