§ 78B-1-202 — Proceedings at which interpreter is to be provided for the deaf or hard of hearing.

(1) If a deaf or hard of hearing person is a party or witness at any stage of any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding in this state or in its political subdivisions, including civil and criminal court proceedings, grand jury proceedings, proceedings before a magistrate, juvenile proceedings, adoption proceedings, mental health commitment proceedings, and any proceeding in which a deaf or hard of hearing person may be subjected to confinement or criminal sanction, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings to the deaf or hard of hearing person and to interpret the deaf or hard of hearing person's testimony. If the deaf or hard of hearing person does not understand sign language, the appointing authority shall take necessary steps to ensure that the deaf or hard of hearing person may effectively and accurately communicate in the proceeding.
(2) If a juvenile whose parent or parents are deaf or hard of hearing is brought before a court for any reason whatsoever, the court shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings to the deaf or hard of hearing parent and to interpret the deaf or hard of hearing parent's testimony. If the deaf or hard of hearing parent or parents do not understand sign language, the appointing authority shall take any reasonable, necessary steps to ensure that the deaf or hard of hearing parent may effectively and accurately communicate in the proceeding.
(3) In any hearing, proceeding, or other program or activity of any department, board, licensing authority, commission, or administrative agency of the state or of its political subdivisions, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter for the deaf or hard of hearing participants if the interpreter is not otherwise compensated for those services. If the deaf or hard of hearing participants do not understand sign language, the appointing authority shall take any reasonable, necessary steps to ensure that the deaf or hard of hearing participant may effectively and accurately communicate in the proceeding.
(4) If a deaf or hard of hearing person is a witness before any legislative committee or subcommittee, or legislative research or interim committee or subcommittee or commission authorized by the state Legislature or by the legislative body of any political subdivision of the state, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings to the deaf or hard of hearing witness and to interpret the deaf or hard of hearing witness's testimony. If the deaf or hard of hearing witness does not understand sign language, the appointing authority shall take any reasonable, necessary steps to ensure that the deaf or hard of hearing witness may effectively and accurately communicate in the proceeding.
(5) If it is the policy and practice of a court of this state or of its political subdivisions to appoint counsel for indigent people, the appointing authority shall appoint and pay for a qualified interpreter or other necessary services for deaf or hard of hearing, indigent people to assist in communication with counsel in all phases of the preparation and presentation of the case.
(6) If a deaf or hard of hearing person is involved in administrative, legislative, or judicial proceedings, the appointing authority shall recognize that family relationship between the particular deaf or hard of hearing person and an interpreter may constitute a possible conflict of interest and select a qualified interpreter who will be impartial in the proceedings.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 43, 2017 General Session