Description:

The Court Interpreters Advisory Panel recommends that the Judicial Council sponsor legislation
amending Evidence Code section 754 to allow courts, for good cause, to appoint American Sign
Language (ASL) interpreters who possess a generalist ASL credential and satisfy training,
education, and experience requirements approved by the Judicial Council, under a provisional
qualification process similar to that for spoken language court interpreters. These amendments
seek to address the limited availability of certified ASL court interpreters while ensuring
continued language access for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The proposal also includes
revisions to statutory language to modernize terminology and clarify the Judicial Council’s role
in maintaining a roster of qualified interpreters.

Category: Legislative Proposals

Item Number: LEG25-03

Deadline: May 23, 2025

File: leg25-03.pdf