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Bill

HB 1174

Concerning court interpreters.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Davis and 11 co-sponsors

Washington establishes new court interpreter qualification and certification standards to improve judicial access for non-English speakers, effective July 27, 2025.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · HB 1174

Legislative bill overview

HB 1174 is a Washington state law that establishes new standards and requirements for court interpreters in the state's judicial system. The bill, which was signed into law on April 16, 2025, becomes effective on July 27, 2025, and addresses qualifications, certification, and operational procedures for interpreters serving in court proceedings.

Why is this important

Court interpreters are essential to ensuring equal access to justice for non-English speakers and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Without qualified interpreters, language barriers can compromise the accuracy of legal proceedings, affect case outcomes, and violate defendants' and plaintiffs' constitutional rights. This legislation helps standardize interpreter quality across Washington courts, potentially reducing errors and improving fairness in the justice system.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Courts may face increased expenses hiring and training qualified interpreters, potentially straining already-tight judicial budgets
  • Interpreter supply and availability: Stricter qualification requirements could reduce the pool of eligible interpreters in rural or underserved areas, creating delays in proceedings
  • Certification standards debate: Disagreement may exist over whether the bill's certification requirements are appropriately rigorous or unnecessarily restrictive for certain languages or specialties

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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