E2SHB 1174 — Concerning court interpreters.

What this bill does

Revises provisions governing credentialing of court interpreters and authorizes the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to create different credentials and provide guidance. Revises provisions governing appointment of court interpreters and requires appointment of credentialed interpreters in all legal proceedings involving persons with limited English proficiency, absent good cause for appointing a noncredentialed interpreter. Revises provisions governing waiver of court interpreters, such that requests to waive must be made on the record and waiver does not preclude a person with limited English proficiency from exercising the right to an interpreter at a later time. Revises provisions governing payment of interpreter costs by limiting when a person with limited English proficiency is responsible for the costs of an interpreter and by requiring the AOC to reimburse participating state courts for language access services costs and one-half of the payment of interpreter costs unless a higher reimbursement rate is established in the omnibus budget. Revises provisions governing language access plans by allowing courts to use AOC templates, requiring the AOC to provide technical assistance to courts, and requiring courts to submit language access plans to the AOC every two years. Revises terms used throughout statutes governing court interpreters. Removes three subsections from state law that were previously invalidated by the courts.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 5, 2025
  66 yea · 31 nay · 1 not voting
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · April 7, 2025
  46 yea · 3 nay

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