The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to improve language access for individuals with limited English proficiency in the court system. It introduces the term "credentialed interpreter" in place of "certified interpreter" and establishes a credentialing program for spoken language interpreters managed by the administrative office of the courts. The definition of "legal proceeding" is broadened to include more judicial and administrative contexts, and it mandates the appointment of credentialed interpreters in relevant legal proceedings unless there is documented good cause for using a non-credentialed interpreter. Additionally, individuals cannot waive their right to an interpreter unless they do so knowingly and voluntarily on the record.

The bill also addresses the financial responsibilities associated with interpreter services, stipulating that the costs will be covered by the governmental body that initiates legal proceedings. It requires trial courts to develop and maintain a written language access plan, which includes procedures for identifying language needs and notifying court users of their rights. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes community involvement in these plans and mandates that courts provide translated information on their websites. It also includes provisions for the appointment of qualified interpreters for hearing-impaired individuals, removes outdated clauses regarding interpreter services, and establishes a reimbursement mechanism for interpreter costs, ensuring effective communication for all individuals involved in legal proceedings.

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