The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 295, seeks to modernize the use of translation services in court proceedings by allowing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other machine-assisted translation methods. Specifically, the bill permits courts to utilize these technologies in civil and criminal proceedings, as well as in certain municipal and administrative contested case proceedings. Additionally, it expands the use of interpreters in criminal trials, allowing them to operate via telephone or live audiovisual means, which was previously restricted to non-trial proceedings.

Key changes in the bill include the creation of new statutory provisions that explicitly authorize the use of AI or machine-assisted translation in various legal contexts, including civil proceedings (807.14 (2)), municipal court settings (885.37 (6)), and criminal proceedings (967.09 (2)). The bill also renumbers existing statutes related to interpreter services, removing the limitation that previously excluded trials from the use of interpreters via telephone or audiovisual means. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance accessibility and efficiency in the judicial process by integrating advanced translation technologies.