BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3656

By: King, Susan

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties point out that an individual may have interpretive services over the phone during a court proceeding. There is concern that state law is not clear whether an interpretation by a qualified interpreter can occur over the phone in any criminal court proceeding. H.B. 3656 seeks to clarify the applicable statute relating to this matter.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3656 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to expand the types of criminal proceedings in which a qualified telephone interpreter may, in certain circumstances, be sworn to interpret for a person charged with an offense or a witness who does not understand and speak the English language to include any criminal proceeding before a judge or magistrate.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.