Senate Bill 2402

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-21-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE A SEPARATE INTERPRETERS FUND AND PLACE UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 9-21-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-21-81. (1) Any volunteer interpreter providing services under Section 9-21-79 shall be paid reasonable expenses by the court.

(2) The expenses of providing an interpreter in any court proceeding may be assessed by the court as costs in the proceeding, or in the case of an indigent criminal defendant to be paid by the county.

(3) There is hereby created a separate interpreters fund for the purpose of making more efficient the procurement of interpreters and translation in the courts for persons with limited English proficiency. The fund shall be managed by the Administrative Office of Courts.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.