2018 -- S 2823 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS - LANGUAGE

INTERPRETERS - USE OF LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     Introduced By: Senators Quezada, Goodwin, Cano, Crowley, and Calkin

     Date Introduced: April 12, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 8-19 of the General Laws entitled "Language Interpreters - Use of

Language Interpreters in Legal Proceedings" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following

section:

     8-19-7. Confidential communications.

     No interpreter/transliterator appointed pursuant to this chapter to interpret or translate for

limited-English-proficient persons in proceedings before the state courts in Rhode Island shall be

called upon to testify concerning any statement(s) made to them in connection with the

interpreter's or transliterator's interpretation or transliteration without the consent of the person

making the statement or unless compelled by court order.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- COURTS - LANGUAGE

INTERPRETERS - USE OF LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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     This act would protect communications between language interpreters appointed under

this chapter and limited-English-proficient persons.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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