Bill would let contracted language interpreters bargain missed‑appointment pay

The committee heard staff briefing and testimony on Senate Bill 59 44, a collective‑bargaining bill for language access providers. Staff explained that language access providers — independent contractors who provide spoken interpretation to state agencies — would have a limited scope of bargaining under the bill covering economic compensation, health and welfare benefits, and related economic matters. The bill would add missed or canceled appointment payments into the bargaining scope.