Senate Bill 357 establishes English as the official language of Wisconsin and outlines the use of English in governmental operations. The bill allows state and local governmental entities to provide access to artificial intelligence or machine-assisted translation tools instead of appointing English language interpreters when required by law. It mandates that all oral and written communication by governmental entities must be in English, with exceptions for specific circumstances, such as protecting health and safety or complying with federal laws. Additionally, it permits government officials to use other languages for certain purposes, while ensuring that no entity can prohibit individuals from becoming proficient in any language for nongovernmental purposes.

The bill also amends existing statutes related to language difficulties in court and administrative proceedings. It modifies the language to replace "individual" with "person" and clarifies the rights of individuals with language difficulties, ensuring they are informed of their right to a qualified interpreter, except in cases where machine-assisted translation tools are provided. The amendments aim to enhance clarity and consistency in the legal language regarding language access in judicial and administrative contexts.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 885.37(1), 885.37, 885.37(3)(b), 885.38(3)(a)(intro.), 885.38