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Bill

HB 1748

Relating to the appointment of spoken language interpreters for certain court proceedings.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Drew Darby

HB 1748 establishes new procedures for appointing spoken language interpreters in Texas court proceedings to ensure language access for limited-English speakers.

Referred to State Affairs
#courts--personnel(i0155)
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Bill Summary · HB 1748

Legislative bill overview

HB 1748 modifies procedures for appointing spoken language interpreters in Texas court proceedings. The bill appears to streamline or establish new requirements for how courts select and assign qualified interpreters for defendants or witnesses with limited English proficiency.

Why is this important

Language access in courts is a constitutional and civil rights issue—defendants have the right to understand proceedings affecting them. Clearer interpreter appointment procedures can improve court efficiency, ensure due process, and reduce potential grounds for appeals based on inadequate interpretation services.

Potential points of contention

  • Interpreter availability and costs: Expanding interpreter requirements may increase court budgets or create bottlenecks in rural areas with limited qualified interpreters
  • Standards and qualifications: Disputes may arise over what certifications or proficiency levels interpreters must meet, affecting both quality and availability
  • Scope of proceedings: Disagreement over which court proceedings require interpreters (felony trials only versus civil cases, arraignments, etc.) and whether remote/video interpretation is acceptable

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

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