BILL REQ. #:  S-4588.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/12.   

     AN ACT Relating to interpreter services; and adding a new section to chapter 43.19 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.19 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall establish a master contract for centralized scheduling of all in-person spoken language interpreter services for state executive agencies, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no later than January 1, 2013. The scheduling system shall:
     (a) Require direct contracting with in-state language access providers certified or authorized by the state. When a state-certified or state-authorized in-state language access provider is not available, the state may use a language access provider with other certifications or qualifications deemed to meet state standards, including interpreters in other states;
     (b) Have a centralized, secure, web-based tool that providers or state agencies will use to schedule appointments for interpreter services; and
     (c) Have the ability for language access providers to be scheduled based on qualifications or previous experience.
     Nothing in this subsection affects the ability to provide interpretive services through employed staff. K-12 schools and courts are exempt from the requirement to contract through the department. All other state executive agencies are required to contract through the department unless otherwise exempted.
     (2) If the health care authority has completed a competitive procurement of a system comparable to that described in subsection (1) of this section prior to September 2013, it is exempt from the requirement to contract through the department. State executive agencies are also exempt from the requirement to contract through the department if they have a contract with the health care authority for language interpreter services prior to September 2013.
     (3) If the health care authority has completed a competitive procurement of such a system prior to September 2013, the system procured for use by other state agencies shall, to the maximum extent possible, be consistent and coordinated with that system.