Senate Bill 357 aims to establish English as the official language of Wisconsin and outlines the use of artificial intelligence or machine-assisted translation tools as alternatives to appointing English language interpreters in certain situations. The bill mandates that all oral and written communication by state and local governmental entities must be conducted in English, with exceptions allowed for specific circumstances, such as individual cases or program implementations. Additionally, it permits government officials to use other languages for various purposes, including protecting citizens' rights and promoting trade.

The bill also includes amendments to existing statutes regarding the provision of interpreters in municipal courts and administrative contested case proceedings. It specifies that if a person has a language difficulty or impairment, the court or agency must determine if an interpreter is necessary and inform the individual of their rights. Notably, the language regarding the rights of individuals has been updated to replace gender-specific terms with more inclusive language, ensuring that references to individuals are gender-neutral.

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