The bill amends various sections of Washington state law to improve judicial processes, particularly in relation to the use of interpreters in court. It establishes a credentialing program for spoken language interpreters, requiring the administrative office of the courts to provide training that includes instruction on mutually unintelligible languages. The bill mandates that courts ensure interpreters are available for parties with limited English proficiency and emphasizes timely hearings for protection orders, allowing for remote participation in court proceedings. Key provisions include prioritizing ex parte temporary protection order hearings, allowing law enforcement petitioners to participate remotely, and ensuring that parties have reasonable time to confer with interpreters during recesses.

Additionally, the bill enhances the effectiveness of protection orders by expanding the court's discretion in issuing them and detailing various forms of relief, such as electronic monitoring and restrictions on contact. It classifies violations of protection orders as gross misdemeanors and establishes penalties for such violations, including class C felonies for repeat offenders. The bill also modifies consent requirements for recording private communications, changing it from needing consent from all parties to just one participant. This legislation aims to improve access to justice, ensure judicial officers are well-trained in trauma-informed practices, and enhance the overall efficiency of court proceedings.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 2.43.070, 7.105.200, 7.105.205, 7.105.245, 7.105.255, 7.105.310, 7.105.450, 9.73.030