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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the licensing of court 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 by a court |
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under Subsection (a) or (b) must hold a license that includes the |
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appropriate designation under Section 57.043(d) that indicates the |
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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) A license issued under this subchapter must include at |
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least one of the following 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. |
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SECTION 3. (a) Section 57.043(d), Government Code, as |
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added by this Act, applies only to a court interpreter license |
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issued or renewed under Section 57.043(a), Government Code, on or |
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after September 1, 2009. A court interpreter license issued before |
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that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the license |
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was issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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(b) Section 57.002(b-1), Government Code, as added by this |
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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. |