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Bill

S 338

Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Tammy Baldwin and 21 co-sponsors

Bill S 338 ensures non-English speakers receive key civil court documents in their native language, promoting fair access to justice and understanding of legal rights.

Introduced in Senate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 338

Summary of Bill S 338

Bill Number: S 338
Title: Requires Certain Civil Court Documents to be Provided to Parties in Their Native Language
Status: Committed to Rules
Introduced: January 08, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 338 aims to enhance access to the civil justice system by ensuring that individuals involved in civil court proceedings receive essential documents in their native language. This initiative seeks to address language barriers that may hinder non-English speaking parties from fully understanding legal processes and their rights.

Key Provisions

  • Translation Requirement: The bill mandates that specific civil court documents, including but not limited to summons, complaints, and judgments, be translated and provided to parties in their primary language.

  • Scope of Application: The requirement applies to all civil court cases where at least one party is not proficient in English, ensuring that language does not impede justice.

  • Implementation Guidelines: The bill outlines the responsibilities of court clerks and judges in facilitating the translation process, including timelines for providing translated documents.

  • Funding and Resources: Provisions may be included for allocating resources to support translation services, although specific funding amounts are not detailed in the current version of the bill.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Litigants: Non-English speaking individuals involved in civil court cases will benefit directly from receiving documents in a language they understand, promoting fairer access to justice.

  • Court Systems: Courts will need to adapt their processes to accommodate translation requirements, which may involve additional training for staff and potential budget considerations for translation services.

  • Legal Professionals: Attorneys and legal aid organizations may need to adjust their practices to ensure compliance with the new requirements and to assist clients in navigating the translated documents.

Procedural Timeline

  • January 08, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
  • May 20, 2025: The bill was reported for the first time to the calendar.
  • May 21, 2025: The bill received a second report and was advanced to the third reading.
  • June 13, 2025: The bill was committed to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

Related Bills

  • S 1952: A prior-session bill addressing similar issues.
  • S 3338: Another related bill from a previous session.
  • S 968: A prior-session bill that may have influenced the current legislation.
  • A 3239: A companion bill in the Assembly that aligns with the objectives of S 338.

Conclusion

Bill S 338 represents a significant step towards inclusivity in the civil justice system by ensuring that language barriers do not prevent individuals from understanding and participating in legal proceedings. By providing essential court documents in native languages, the bill aims to promote fairness and accessibility for all parties involved in civil cases.

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

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