Bill > HB2006

This bill makes several key changes to court interpreter services in Washington state: 1. It transitions from using "certified" and "qualified" interpreters to using "credentialed" interpreters, requiring courts to appoint credentialed interpreters unless good cause is found to use a non-credentialed interpreter. 2. It requires courts to develop and maintain language access plans to ensure language access services are provided to people with limited English proficiency (LEP) accessing the court system. The plans must include provisions for identifying LEP individuals, requesting and appointing interpreters, notifying the public of interpreter availability, and providing training for court staff. 3. It specifies that the costs of interpreters for LEP individuals who are parties, subpoenaed, or compelled to appear in a legal proceeding shall be borne by the government, not the individual. For proceedings initiated by government agencies, the agency must cover the interpreter costs. 4. It requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to maintain a credentialing program for spoken language interpreters, establish standards of proficiency, and provide guidance on the use of credentialed and non-credentialed interpreters. 5. It codifies the requirement for courts to appoint a team of interpreters as needed, and recodifies existing provisions related to interpreter oaths and ethics.