By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 380
(In the Senate - Filed January 11, 2023; February 15, 2023,
read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
March 13, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; March 13, 2023,
sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 380 By: Zaffirini
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to payment of certain court costs associated with
interpreters.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 57.002, Government Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 57.002. APPOINTMENT OF INTERPRETER OR CART PROVIDER;
CART PROVIDER LIST; PAYMENT OF INTERPRETER COSTS.
SECTION 2. Section 57.002, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(g) A party to a proceeding in a court who files a statement
of inability to afford payment of court costs under Rule 145, Texas
Rules of Civil Procedure, is not required to provide an interpreter
at the party's expense or pay the costs associated with the services
of an interpreter appointed under this section that are incurred
during the course of the action, unless the statement has been
contested and the court has ordered the party to pay costs pursuant
to Rule 145. Nothing in this subsection is intended to apply to
interpreter services or other auxiliary aids for individuals who
are deaf, hard of hearing, or have communication disabilities,
which shall be provided to those individuals free of charge
pursuant to federal and state laws.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies to an
action pending on the effective date of this Act or filed on or
after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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