The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to improve access to legal proceedings for individuals with limited English proficiency. It introduces the term "credentialed interpreter," replacing "qualified interpreter," and establishes a credentialing program for spoken language interpreters managed by the administrative office of the courts. Credentialed interpreters must be appointed in legal proceedings involving individuals with limited English proficiency unless there is good cause for using a non-credentialed interpreter. The bill also clarifies the definition of legal proceedings and the rights of these individuals regarding interpreter services, ensuring they are not responsible for interpreter costs in specific legal situations.

Additionally, the bill enhances language access services in the court system by requiring government agencies to cover interpreter costs in their initiated legal proceedings and mandates trial courts to develop written language access plans. These plans must include procedures for identifying language needs, appointing interpreters, and informing court users of their rights. The bill also emphasizes community involvement in developing these plans and requires courts to provide translated information on their websites. Furthermore, it recodifies existing laws related to hearing-impaired individuals, ensuring qualified interpreters are appointed and reimbursed for their services, thereby removing financial barriers to justice for both limited English proficient and hearing-impaired individuals.

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