Court interpreters.

Under existing law, if a party or witness in a civil or criminal action is an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing, the proceeding is required to be interpreted in a language that the individual who is deaf or hard of hearing understands by a qualified interpreter appointed by the court or other appointing authority, or as agreed upon. Existing law defines "qualified interpreter" to mean an interpreter who has been certified as competent to interpret court proceedings by a testing organization, agency, or educational institution approved by the Judicial Council. Existing law requires the Judicial Council, before July 1, 1992, to conduct a study to establish the guidelines pursuant to which it shall determine which testing organizations, agencies, or educational institutions will be approved to administer tests for certification of court interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Existing law also requires the Judicial Council, by January 1, 1997, to approve one or more entities to administer testing for court interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. This bill would delete the provisions relating to the past requirements of the Judicial Council to conduct the study to establish these guidelines before July 1, 1992, and to approve one or more entities to administer testing by January 1, 1997.