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WashingtonHB 11742025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning court interpreters.

Sponsored By: Strom Peterson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

More interpreter protections for limited-English speakers

Beginning July 27, 2025, interpreter protections cover all Washington courts and hearings before judicial officers, administrative judges, boards, commissions, agencies, and licensing bodies. People with limited English must receive credentialed interpreters; exceptions require good cause stated on the record, such as unavailable services or no listed interpreter for their language. The officer must check a noncredentialed interpreter's qualifications and ability to communicate accurately on the record, and choose another if required standards are not met. Courts must appoint interpreter teams when Washington Supreme Court rules require them. A person can give up interpreter services only by requesting it on the record, with the officer confirming an informed, voluntary choice; the person can request services later, and the officer can restore them at any time.

Fewer interpreter guarantees for deaf people

Beginning July 27, 2025, this law removes specified requirements to appoint and pay for interpreters for deaf or hard-of-hearing people. The removed requirements cover court-ordered programs or activities and law-enforcement criminal investigations. They also cover arrest-related rights notices, warnings, questioning, and statements. The law also removes the related investigation requirement when a minor's parent, guardian, or custodian is hard of hearing. These changes remove guarantees under this interpreter law, rather than establishing that no other law requires services.

Court interpreter credentials, training, and fees

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington's Administrative Office of the Courts must establish and maintain spoken-language interpreter credentialing, subject to available funds. The program includes proficiency standards, initial and periodic exams, different credential types, and an up-to-date interpreter list. Testing and training must be available in eastern and western Washington, with partner organizations helping with training and recruitment. The office may charge reasonable fees for testing, training, and credentials; the law sets no dollar amount. Credentialed interpreters must take a permanent oath, which the office records; before interpreting, all interpreters must state their name and credential status on the record, noncredentialed interpreters must be qualified on the record, and interpreters who already took the credentialing oath need not repeat it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Lekanoff

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Lillian Ortiz-Self

    Democratic • House

  • My-Linh Thai

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 112 • No: 34

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 46 • No: 3

House vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 66 • No: 31 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/16/2025House

  2. Chapter 55, 2025 Laws.

    4/16/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/11/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/10/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/9/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/7/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/7/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/2/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/24/2025House

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/20/2025House

  12. LAW - Majority; do pass.

    3/20/2025House

  13. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    3/7/2025House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 66; nays, 31; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2025House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025House

  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/5/2025House

  17. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    3/5/2025House

  18. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/4/2025House

  19. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/28/2025House

  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/28/2025House

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/28/2025House

  22. Minority; do not pass.

    2/28/2025House

  23. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/28/2025House

  24. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/18/2025House

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/14/2025House

Bill Text

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