SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6571

BYSenators Newhouse and Rinehart

Revising provisions for interpreters in legal proceedings.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 22, 1990; January 24, 1990

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Madsen, Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Rinehart, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Anita Neal (786-7418)

                March 3, 1990

House Committe on Judiciary

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

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

The language proposed for this legislation was inadvertently omitted from the 1989 legislation regarding court interpreters (SSB 5474/89, codified as RCW 2.42.220).

SUMMARY:

The presiding officer is required to appoint a qualified interpreter when a non-English-speaking person is involved in a legal proceeding.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   Judge Heather Van Nuys, Yakima County Superior Court judge; Hector Gonzalez, Commission on Hispanic Affairs; Mike Issac; Mike Redman, WAPA

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

Statutes governing interpreters for non-English-speaking persons are recodified.