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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the licensing and appointment of certain court |
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interpreters. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 57.002, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) A licensed court interpreter appointed under |
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Subsection (a) or (b) by a court located in a county with a |
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population of 3.3 million or more must hold a license that includes |
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the appropriate designation under Section 57.043(d) that indicates |
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the interpreter is permitted to interpret in that court. |
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SECTION 2. Section 57.043, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows: |
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(d) The executive director shall establish license |
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designations for persons who seek to be appointed to interpret in a |
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court located in a county with a population of 3.3 million or more. |
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The person's license must include one of the following |
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designations: |
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(1) a basic designation that permits the interpreter |
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to interpret court proceedings in justice and municipal courts; or |
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(2) a master designation that permits the interpreter |
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to interpret court proceedings in all state courts, including |
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justice and municipal courts. |
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(e) In adopting rules relating to licensing under this |
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subchapter, the commission shall prescribe the qualifications |
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required for a license that includes a basic designation and for a |
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license that includes a master designation under Subsection (d). |
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SECTION 3. Section 57.002(b-1), Government Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to the appointment of a licensed court |
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interpreter on or after September 1, 2010. An appointment before |
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that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
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appointment was made, and the former law is continued in effect for |
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that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |