81R10456 KFF-F
By: Alvarado H.B. No. 4445
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the licensing of court interpreters.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 57.002, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) A licensed court interpreter appointed by a court
under Subsection (a) or (b) must hold a license that includes the
appropriate designation under Section 57.043(d) that indicates the
interpreter is permitted to interpret in that court.
SECTION 2. Section 57.043, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
(d) A license issued under this subchapter must include at
least one of the following designations:
(1) a basic designation that permits the interpreter
to interpret court proceedings in justice and municipal courts; or
(2) a master designation that permits the interpreter
to interpret court proceedings in all state courts, including
justice and municipal courts.
(e) In adopting rules relating to licensing under this
subchapter, the commission shall prescribe the qualifications
required for a license that includes a basic designation and for a
license that includes a master designation.
SECTION 3. (a) Section 57.043(d), Government Code, as
added by this Act, applies only to a court interpreter license
issued or renewed under Section 57.043(a), Government Code, on or
after September 1, 2009. A court interpreter license issued before
that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the license
was issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
(b) Section 57.002(b-1), Government Code, as added by this
Act, applies only to the appointment of a licensed court
interpreter on or after September 1, 2010. An appointment before
that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the
appointment was made, and the former law is continued in effect for
that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.