Bill > HB1748

This bill modifies the Texas Government Code to expand the circumstances under which courts in counties with 50,000 or more people can appoint spoken language interpreters who are not certified or licensed. Currently, courts can appoint such interpreters only for non-Spanish languages when no licensed court interpreter is available within 75 miles. The bill adds a new provision allowing courts to appoint non-certified interpreters for justice courts, municipal courts, or municipal courts of record when handling Class C misdemeanor cases that are not jury trials, regardless of the language involved. This change appears designed to provide more flexibility for courts in appointing interpreters, particularly for lower-level criminal proceedings where finding a certified interpreter might be challenging. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving courts and judicial systems time to prepare for the new interpreter appointment guidelines.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1748