HB3620 EnrolledLRB099 09653 HEP 29862 b

1    AN ACT concerning courts.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Code of Civil Procedure is amended by adding
5Section 8-1403 as follows:
 
6    (735 ILCS 5/8-1403 new)
7    Sec. 8-1403. Interpreters for civil cases.
8    (a) Whenever any person is a party or witness in a civil
9action in this State, the court shall, upon its own motion or
10that of a party, determine whether the person is capable of
11understanding the English language and is capable of expressing
12himself or herself in the English language so as to be
13understood directly by counsel, court, or jury. If the court
14finds the person incapable of so understanding or so expressing
15himself or herself, the court shall appoint an interpreter for
16the person whom he or she can understand and who can understand
17him or her. All appointments for court interpreters in civil
18matters shall be pursuant to the Illinois Supreme Court
19Language Access Policy and the judicial circuit's Language
20Access Plan that is appropriate for the demands and resources
21specific to the Illinois courts within that particular circuit.
22    (b) The court shall enter an order of its appointment of
23the interpreter who shall be sworn to truly interpret or

 

 

HB3620 Enrolled- 2 -LRB099 09653 HEP 29862 b

1translate all questions propounded or answers given as directed
2by the court.
3    (c) As used in this Section, "interpreter" includes a sign
4language interpreter.