Amending the Federal Court Interpreter Legislation to Include the Territories and Commonwealths of the United States
Resolution 24 Amending the Federal Court Interpreter Legislation to Include the Territories and Commonwealths of the United States
The Conference of Chief Justices, in partnership with the Conference of State Court Administrators, has previously endorsed the creation of a federal program to support state courts in providing essential court interpreter services.
Legislation known as S. 1733 has been introduced in Congress to establish such a federal grant program. However, this bill currently lacks language that includes the U.S. territories and commonwealths as eligible participants. Specifically, S. 1733 does not define "states" to include territories such as Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands, or commonwealths such as the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.
These jurisdictions face similar needs, constraints, and requirements as the fifty states in terms of delivering meaningful access to justice for limited English proficient individuals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices:
- Reaffirms its support for S. 1733 and the establishment of a federal interpreter assistance grant program; and
- Urges the sponsors of the legislation to amend the bill by expanding the definition of "states" to explicitly include the U.S. territories and commonwealths listed above, making them eligible for participation in the program.
Adopted as proposed by the Access to and Fairness in the Courts Committee of the Conference of Chief Justices at the 27th Midyear Meeting on January 21, 2004.