Law
Nebraska LB 669 Expands supreme court’s options for funding sources from which to compensate interpreters used by the court including grant money made available to the Supreme Court for such purpose.
Active
Illinois HB 216 Permits counties to authorize a fee of up to $10 for court interpreter services on criminal and traffic convictions for deposit into a Court Interpreter Services Fund under the control of the local chief judge. In House Rules Committee.
Died in committee
Iowa HSB 175 /SSB 1073 Provides that a “limited English proficient” (LEP) person who is a participant in any legal proceeding involving a court or an administrative agency or in a court-ordered program shall be entitled to an interpreter or a translator to assist the person in the proceeding or program. Defines “limited English proficient”, “interpreter”, “translator”, and “participant.” Provides that fees for interpreter or translator services shall not be charged to an LEP participant in a legal proceeding or court-ordered program. Specifies that an oral language interpreter or a translator required for an LEP participant in a judicial branch legal proceeding or in a court-ordered program is to be paid by the state court administrator from the revolving fund established in Code section 602.1302, subsection 3 (known as the jury and witness fund). Excludes the costs of interpreter and translator services from being charged to a parent in a juvenile proceeding and to a person receiving indigent legal assistance services. Provides additional specifications for fees and qualifications for interpreter and translator services are to be determined by the court. Requires an interpreter or translator in any legal proceeding take an oath approved by the supreme court. Permits court to inquire into the qualifications, neutrality, and integrity of an interpreter or translator and disqualify any person from serving as an interpreter or translator. Requires electronic rather than audio recordings of the portion of proceedings where non-English testimony is given to be made and maintained.
Nebraska LB 451 Amends existing law to provide the cost of interpreter services for persons unable to communicate the English language shall be paid by the state with money appropriated to the Supreme Court for that purpose or from other funds, including grant money, made available to the Supreme Court for such purpose.
