Bill would expand state-funded interpreters and translators to civil and juvenile court cases

Representative Cameron Parker presented House Bill 182, which would revise current law that pays for interpreters and translators in criminal cases and expand that payment authorization to other case types, including civil and juvenile matters, if the legislature appropriates the funds.

Supporters, including the Missouri Catholic Conference and the Judicial Conference's Government Relations Counsel, told the committee that publicly funded interpretation and translation services in civil and juvenile settings would help limited-English-proficiency parties understand rights and proceedings and would increase fairness in court processes.

Dr. Guillermo Villatreba of the Missouri Catholic Conference said the bill would help vulnerable people "better understand their rights, avoid potentially devastating misunderstandings, and make our justice system more humane overall." Eric Jennings, Government Relations Counsel at the Supreme Court, said the Court supports further clarification about which civil categories the legislature intends to cover and noted intersections with federal law and the appropriations process.

Representative Dolan asked whether there is a standard fee for interpreters; Dr. Villatreba said he did not have those procedural details. Committee members requested follow-up information about how interpreter fees are currently handled in juvenile matters and other civil proceedings. The bill would not take effect until the legislature appropriates funds, supporters emphasized.

No opposition testimony was recorded during the hearing session.