Raises the minimum fee for temporary interpreters; requires that town and village courts share in the compensation of such temporary interpreters.
Summary
A03669 amends the Judiciary Law to increase the minimum compensation for temporary court interpreters from a capped $25 per day to at least $110 per day for each day of actual attendance. It also changes who pays when the temporary interpreter’s compensation exceeds that minimum: the first $110 per day would continue to come from the county court fund, while any amount above that would be paid by the town or village where the court is located.
The bill also updates the rules governing interpretation for deaf or hard of hearing people in legal proceedings. It preserves the requirement that courts appoint qualified interpreters certified by an approved national or New York credentialing authority, while allowing a temporary interpreter if a certified interpreter is not immediately available and waiting would cause unreasonable delay. In criminal matters in state-funded courts, it continues to require interpretation for deaf or hard of hearing victims and, in some cases, their immediate family members when requested.
In practical terms, the bill would increase state and local court-related costs and shift some financial responsibility to towns and villages that operate courts. It would affect courts that rely on temporary interpreters, counties that currently pay interpreter fees from court funds, and municipalities that would be responsible for any compensation above the new minimum. It also reinforces access-to-justice protections for deaf and hard of hearing participants in court proceedings.
The overall sentiment in committee appears favorable, though not unanimous. The bill advanced through Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Rules with supportive majorities, suggesting broad agreement with the goal of improving interpreter compensation and court access. The main point of contention is likely fiscal: some members appear concerned about the cost increase and the new requirement that towns and villages share in paying temporary interpreter fees, especially where local courts may have limited budgets.
A notable policy issue is the balance between fair compensation for interpreters and the financial burden on local governments. Supporters likely view the bill as necessary to attract and retain qualified interpreters and to ensure meaningful access for deaf or hard of hearing litigants, witnesses, jurors, victims, and family members. Opponents or skeptics may focus on the higher mandated minimum and the open-ended exposure for localities when interpreter rates exceed $110 per day.
Impact
The bill amends Judiciary Law sections 387 and 390. It raises the statutory minimum payment for temporary interpreters and reallocates payment responsibility so that counties pay up to $110 per day from the court fund, with towns or villages paying any excess for temporary interpreter services in their courts. It also clarifies that temporary interpreter fees for deaf or hard of hearing participants are governed by section 387, while preserving existing requirements for certified interpreters and state-funded payment rules in most other court settings.
Sentiment
Committee action suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, with passage through Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Rules by comfortable margins. The support indicates agreement with improving compensation for interpreters and strengthening access to court proceedings for deaf or hard of hearing individuals. The dissenting votes suggest some reservations, most likely centered on fiscal impacts and the shift of costs to towns and villages.
Contention
The main contention is financial. The bill increases the minimum daily compensation for temporary interpreters and requires towns and villages to cover any amount above $110 per day, which may raise local court costs. Supporters likely emphasize fair pay and access to justice, while critics may object to the added mandate on local governments and the potential for higher-than-minimum interpreter rates to create unpredictable expenses.
Same As
Raises the minimum fee for temporary interpreters; requires that town and village courts share in the compensation of such temporary interpreters.
Requires health insurers, SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare coverage for sign language interpreter services for covered individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Requires health insurers, SHBP, SEHBP, and NJ FamilyCare coverage for sign language interpreter services for covered individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 63; Title 68, Chapter 1, Part 1 and Title 71, Chapter 4, Part 21, relative to sign language interpreters.