(a) The Judicial Council shall designate the languages for which certification programs shall be established under subdivision (b). The language designations shall be based on (1) the courts’ needs as determined by the language and interpreter use and need studies under Section 68563, (2) the language needs of non-English-speaking persons in the courts, and (3) other information the Judicial Council deems relevant.

(b) By July 1, 1996, the Judicial Council shall approve one or more entities to certify Spanish language interpreters and interpreters for as many other languages designated under subdivision (a) as practicable by that date. The Judicial Council may give provisional approval to an entity to examine interpreters and establish a list of recommended court interpreters pending final approval of one or more certification entities. Certification entities may include educational institutions, testing organizations, joint powers agencies, or public agencies.

The Judicial Council shall adopt and publish guidelines, standards, and procedures to determine which certification entities will be approved to test and certify interpreters.

(c) The Judicial Council shall develop and implement procedures to administer the list of recommended court interpreters previously established by the State Personnel Board and the list established by an entity provisionally approved under subdivision (b).

The Judicial Council shall develop procedures and standards for certifying without reexamination interpreters on the list of recommended court interpreters (1) previously established by the State Personnel Board, or (2) established by an entity provisionally approved under subdivision (b). Certification of these interpreters shall be based on criteria determined by the Judicial Council, such as recent interpreting experience, performance in court or at administrative hearings, training, and continuing education.

(d) The Judicial Council shall adopt standards and requirements for interpreter proficiency, continuing education, certification renewal, and discipline. The Judicial Council shall adopt standards of professional conduct for court interpreters.

(e) The Judicial Council shall adopt programs for interpreter recruiting, training, and continuing education and evaluation to ensure that an adequate number of interpreters is available and that they interpret competently.

(f) The Judicial Council shall establish guidelines for fees or shall set and charge fees for applications to take the court interpreter examinations, for renewal of certifications, for certification of interpreters on the list of recommended court interpreters, for maintaining interpreters on the recommended list until January 1, 1996, and for other functions and services provided under this article. All fees and other revenues received by the Judicial Council under this article shall be transferred promptly to the Controller, and shall be placed in the Court Interpreters’ Fund, which is hereby created, the moneys in which shall be available to carry out the purposes of this article upon appropriation by the Legislature.

(g) Each superior court may adopt local rules to impose additional requirements, standards, examinations, and programs as necessary for equity or to recognize local conditions.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 220. Effective January 1, 2003.)