Bill > HB2032

This bill adds a new section to Washington state law to protect language access providers (interpreters) who provide spoken language services for government departments. The bill requires that these providers be fully compensated within 30 days of submitting a valid invoice for their services. Specifically, the bill prohibits government departments from: recouping funds if a service recipient is later found ineligible for benefits, limiting the daily amount of time an interpreter can be paid, or requiring interpreters to register in online databases with personal contact information. The bill also mandates that departments create rules for compensating interpreters for canceled appointments and provide mileage reimbursement at the Internal Revenue Service's standard business rate. If a department fails to pay an interpreter the full amount owed, the interpreter can sue to recover the full payment plus attorneys' fees and costs. The bill applies to various state departments that purchase interpreter services, including Labor and Industries, Social and Health Services, Children, Youth, and Families, Enterprise Services, and the Health Care Authority.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2032&Year=2025&Initiative=false