83R29287 RWG-D

By: Paxton S.B. No. 1620

(Lewis)

Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1620: No.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certified communication access realtime translation providers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 57.001, Government Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (8) and (9) to read as follows:

(8) "Communication access realtime translation" or "CART" means the immediate verbatim translation of the spoken word into English text by a certified CART provider.

(9) "Certified CART provider" means an individual who holds a certification to provide communication access realtime translation services at an advanced or master level issued by the Texas Court Reporters Association or another certification association selected by the department.

SECTION 2. The heading to Section 57.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 57.002. APPOINTMENT OF INTERPRETER OR CART PROVIDER; CART PROVIDER LIST.

SECTION 3. Section 57.002, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(a) A court shall appoint a certified court interpreter or a certified CART provider for an individual who has a hearing impairment or a licensed court interpreter for an individual who can hear but does not comprehend or communicate in English if a motion for the appointment of an interpreter or provider is filed by a party or requested by a witness in a civil or criminal proceeding in the court.

(b) A court may, on its own motion, appoint a certified court interpreter or a certified CART provider for an individual who has a hearing impairment or a licensed court interpreter for an individual who can hear but does not comprehend or communicate in English.

(f) The department shall maintain a list of certified CART providers and, on request, may send the list to a person or court.

SECTION 4. Sections 57.001(6) and 57.021(d), Government Code, are repealed.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.