The bill amends various sections of Washington's Revised Code to improve the rights of individuals with limited English proficiency in legal proceedings. It introduces the term "credentialed interpreter," replacing "certified interpreter," and mandates the appointment of these interpreters unless there is documented good cause for using a non-credentialed interpreter. The bill also clarifies the definition of legal proceedings and expands the responsibilities of the administrative office of the courts to maintain a list of credentialed interpreters and establish training programs. Additionally, it outlines conditions for waiving the right to an interpreter, emphasizing that such waivers must be made knowingly and voluntarily, and specifies that individuals with limited English proficiency are not responsible for interpreter costs in certain legal situations.

Moreover, the bill enhances language access services in the court system by requiring government agencies to cover interpreter costs in legal proceedings they initiate and mandates trial courts to develop and maintain written language access plans. These plans must include procedures for identifying language needs, appointing interpreters, and informing court users of their rights to interpreter services, with community involvement emphasized in their development. The bill also ensures that courts provide translated information on their websites regarding access to language services. Additionally, it recodifies existing laws related to the appointment of interpreters for hearing-impaired individuals and clarifies the responsibilities of appointing authorities, streamlining the process and establishing a reimbursement mechanism for interpreter costs.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 2.43.010, 2.43.030, 2.43.050, 2.43.060, 2.43.080, 2.43.070, 2.43.040, 2.43.090, 2.56.030, 13.04.043, 2.42.120
Substitute Bill: 2.43.010, 2.43.030, 2.43.050, 2.43.060, 2.43.080, 2.43.070, 2.43.040, 2.43.090, 2.56.030, 13.04.043, 2.42.120
Second Substitute: 2.43.010, 2.43.030, 2.43.050, 2.43.060, 2.43.080, 2.43.070, 2.43.040, 2.43.090, 2.56.030, 13.04.043, 2.42.120
Engrossed Second Substitute: 2.43.010, 2.43.030, 2.43.050, 2.43.060, 2.43.080, 2.43.070, 2.43.040, 2.43.090, 2.56.030, 13.04.043, 2.42.120
Bill as Passed Legislature: 2.43.010, 2.43.030, 2.43.050, 2.43.060, 2.43.080, 2.43.070, 2.43.040, 2.43.090, 2.56.030, 13.04.043, 2.42.120
Session Law: 2.43.010, 2.43.030, 2.43.050, 2.43.060, 2.43.080, 2.43.070, 2.43.040, 2.43.090, 2.56.030, 13.04.043, 2.42.120