2000 Regular Session

SENATE BILL 741

File Code: State Government - Agencies, Offices, and Officials Crossfiled with: HOUSE BILL 1228
Sponsored By:
Senators Ruben, Frosh, Lawlah, Sfikas, Pinsky, Mitchell, Exum, McFadden, Jimeno, Currie, Dorman, Forehand, and Dyson
Entitled:
State Government - Access to Services and the Justice System - Language Barriers

Synopsis:

Stating the intent of the General Assembly that equal access to the State's justice system and to government services should not be impaired by the inability to speak and understand English; requiring all documents distributed to the public by State agencies, courts, and entities receiving State funds to be translated into Spanish; requiring the courts to appoint more than one interpreter when necessary to protect client confidentiality or ensure due process of law; etc.

History by Legislative Date

Senate Action
2/4
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
2/9
Hearing 3/1 at 1:00 p.m.
3/14
Unfavorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
House Action
No Action
Sponsored by:
Senator Ida G. Ruben, District 20
Senator Ulysses Currie, District 25
Senator Arthur Dorman, District 21
Senator Roy P. Dyson, District 29
Senator Nathaniel Exum, District 24
Senator Jennie M. Forehand, District 17
Senator Brian E. Frosh, District 16
Senator Philip C. Jimeno, District 31
Senator Gloria Lawlah, District 26
Senator Nathaniel J. McFadden, District 45
Senator Clarence M. Mitchell, IV, District 44
Senator Paul G. Pinsky, District 22
Senator Perry Sfikas, District 46
Bill indexed under the following Subjects:
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS
ALIENS
COURTS -see also- CIRCUIT; APPEALS; DISTRICT; ORPHANS'; etc.
DISCRIMINATION -see also- SEX DISCRIMINATION
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
FORMS
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
LANGUAGE
LICENSES -see also- ALCOHOLIC BEV LIC; DRIVERS' LICENSES
MANDATES
MINORITIES -see also- WOMEN
NOTICES
PUBLICATIONS -see also- MARYLAND REGISTER
RULES AND REGULATIONS
SOCIAL SERVICES -see also- WELFARE
SUBPOENAS
SUMMONSES -see also- SUBPOENAS
Bill affects the following Statutes:
Courts and Judicial Proceedings
( 9-114 )
Article - 27 Crimes and Punishments
( 623A )
Article - 41 Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments
( 20-201 , 20-202 , 20-203 )
Article - 49B Human Relations Commission
( 5 )
State Government
( 9-304 )

Documents:

Bill Text: First Reading (PDF), Third Reading, Enrolled
Fiscal Note: Available (PDF)
Amendments: None offered