BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1620

 

By: Paxton

 

Jurisprudence

 

4/11/2013

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested parties assert that translators who are able to immediately translate the spoken word into English text would be able to benefit parties to court proceedings where interpreters are needed.  These translators are known as communication access realtime translation (CART) providers.   S.B. 1620 allows parties, on motion to the court, to request a CART provider in addition to having the option to request a certified or licensed court interpreter.  CART providers would be certified by the Texas Court Reporters Association.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1620 amends current law relating to certified Communication Access Realtime Translation providers.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 57.001, Government Code, to define, in this subchapter and for purposes of Subchapter B, "communication access realtime translation" and "certified CART provider," and to delete the definition for "real-time captioning."

 

SECTION 2. Amends Sections 57.002(a) and (b), Government Code, as follows:

 

(a) Requires a court to appoint a certified court interpreter, a certified, communication access realtime translation (CART) provider, or a licensed court interpreter if a motion for the appointment of an interpreter is filed by a party or requested by a witness in a civil or criminal proceeding in the court.

 

(b) Makes a conforming change.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 57.021(d), Government Code, as follows:

 

(d) Requires, rather than authorize, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to maintain a list of certified CART providers and, on request, authorizes DARS to send the list to a person or court.  Deletes existing text authorizing DARS to maintain a list of persons certified by the Texas Court Reporters Association as qualified to provide communication access real-time translation services for a hearing-impaired individual in a court proceeding and, on request, to send the list to a person or court.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.