Washington 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 8 D cosponsors

SB 5995 — Creating a professional license for spoken language interpreters and translators.

Last action — By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

416 added · 254 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of SB 5995 has added a provision that emphasizes the importance of professional language services for clients with limited English proficiency. This change highlights that having enough interpreters and translators is not just about meeting legal obligations but is also crucial for improving health outcomes and reducing liability risks for healthcare providers. This matters because it acknowledges the growing diversity in Washington and aims to ensure that all residents can access essential services effectively, fostering better communication and understanding in healthcare and other important areas.

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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5995 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2024 Regular Session By Senate Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Saldaña, Valdez, Kauffman, Trudeau, Hasegawa, Keiser, Kuderer, Nguyen, Nobles, and C.
S-3743.1 SENATE BILL 5995 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2024 Regular Session By Senators Saldaña, Valdez, Kauffman, Trudeau, Hasegawa, Keiser, Kuderer, Nguyen, Nobles, and C.
Wilson) READ FIRST TIME 01/24/24.
Wilson Prefiled 01/04/24.
Read first time 01/08/24.
Referred to Committee on Labor & Commerce.
amending RCW 43.24.150;
amending RCW 43.24.150, 74.04.025, and 74.04.025;
and adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW.
adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW;
providing an effective date;
and providing an expiration date.
(3) The legislature finds that businesses and government agencies across Washington need access to professional language services to ensure their customers and clients with limited English proficiency can have meaningful access to participate in the programs, p.
(3) The legislature finds that businesses and government agencies across Washington need access to professional language services to ensure their customers and clients with limited English proficiency p.
1 ESSB 5995 activities, and services offered by businesses and government agencies.
1 SB 5995 can have meaningful access to participate in the programs, activities, and services offered by businesses and government agencies.
(3) Develop and administer examinations for licensure under this chapter, subject to section 4 of this act;
2 ESSB 5995 (4) Establish forms and procedures necessary to administer this chapter;
2 SB 5995 (3) Develop and administer examinations for licensure under this chapter, subject to section 4 of this act;
(5) Beginning January 1, 2029, issue licenses to applicants who have met the department's requirements for obtaining a license and deny licenses to applicants who do not meet the requirements;
(4) Establish forms and procedures necessary to administer this chapter;
(5) Beginning January 1, 2025, issue licenses to applicants who have met the department's requirements for obtaining a license and deny licenses to applicants who do not meet the requirements;
(9) By July 1, 2029, adopt rules for licensure renewal, including for approval of continuing education activities licensees must complete as part of the individual's license renewal;
(9) By July 1, 2025, adopt rules for licensure renewal, including for approval of continuing education activities licensees must complete as part of the individual's license renewal;
3 ESSB 5995 (4) At a minimum, the department's licensure for certified and authorized interpreters must provide for a medical or social services endorsement.
3 SB 5995 (4) At a minimum, the department's licensure for certified and authorized interpreters must provide for a medical or social services endorsement.
Nothing in this chapter will be construed to prohibit or restrict the provision of spoken language interpretation and translation services by individuals who are providing services within their authorized scope of practice and who are licensed, certified, qualified, authorized, or registered under other laws of this state including, but not limited to, chapters 2.43 and 28A.183 RCW and RCW 28A.410.271, or by individuals holding an active certification from the certification commission for healthcare interpreters or the national board of certification for medical interpreters.
Nothing in this chapter will be construed to prohibit or restrict the provision of spoken language interpretation and translation services by individuals who are providing services within their authorized scope of practice and who are licensed, certified, qualified, authorized, or registered under other laws of this state including, but not limited to, chapters 2.43 and 28A.183 RCW and RCW 28A.410.271.
Beginning January 1, 2029, it is unlawful for any individual:
Beginning January 1, 2026, it is unlawful for any individual:
(1) Individuals holding an active certification from the certification commission for healthcare interpreters or by the national board of certification for medical interpreters are exempt from the licensing requirement under this chapter, but may obtain the relevant licensure under this chapter without taking an examination.
(1) Individuals holding an active certification from the certification commission for healthcare interpreters or by the national board of certification for medical interpreters are eligible for the relevant licensure under this chapter without taking an examination.
(2)(a) Other than individuals included in (b) of this subsection, if an individual has an active interpreter or translator credential issued by the department of social and health services prior to January 1, 2029, the individual is eligible for the relevant p.
(2)(a) Other than individuals included in (b) of this subsection, if an individual has an active interpreter or translator credential issued by the department of social and health services prior to January 1, 2025, the individual is eligible for the relevant licensure renewal under this chapter before the expiration date of the individual's current credential without examination.
4 ESSB 5995 licensure renewal under this chapter before the expiration date of the individual's current credential without examination.
(b) Individuals who received a credential issued by the department of social and health services based solely on having p.
(b) Individuals who received a credential issued by the department of social and health services based solely on having submitted a passing score on a written exam administered by the certification commission for healthcare interpreters or the national board of certification for medical interpreters are not eligible for the relevant licensure renewal under this chapter without passing the department's examination.
4 SB 5995 submitted a passing score on a written exam administered by the certification commission for healthcare interpreters or the national board of certification for medical interpreters are not eligible for the relevant licensure renewal under this chapter without passing the department's examination.
(3) By July 1, 2028, the department of social and health services must transmit to the department all materials related to interpreters and translators certified and authorized by the department of social and health services, as requested by the department.
(3) By July 1, 2024, the department of social and health services must transmit to the department all materials related to interpreters and translators certified and authorized by the department of social and health services, as requested by the department.
(a) Completion of continuing education or training, including on ethics;
(a) Completion of continuing education, including on ethics;
(4) The department must work cooperatively with community colleges and other private or public educational institutions and organizations to encourage training and continuing education activities to be available in both eastern and western Washington locations.
(2) By January 1, 2025, the department of social and health services must transmit all data, materials, and technology from its language testing and certification program to the department, including examination materials from prior to March 1, 2020, except p.
(2) By July 1, 2024, the department of social and health services must transmit all data, materials, and technology from its language testing and certification program to the department, including examination materials from prior to March 1, 2020, except that any p.
5 ESSB 5995 that any materials for bilingual employee examinations in compliance with RCW 74.04.025 do not need to be transmitted.
5 SB 5995 materials for bilingual employee examinations in compliance with RCW 74.04.025 do not need to be transmitted.
(1) A licensed interpreter and translator advisory committee is created within the department on July 1, 2025.
(1) A licensed interpreter and translator advisory committee is created within the department on January 1, 2026.
The committee consists of members in accordance with this subsection.
The committee consists of 14 members in accordance with this subsection.
(i) Prior to January 1, 2029, were certified or authorized by the department of social and health services;
(i) Prior to January 1, 2025, were certified or authorized by the department of social and health services;
and (ii) Beginning January 1, 2029, are licensed by the department under this chapter;
and (ii) Beginning January 1, 2025, are licensed by the department under this chapter.
(b) One member from a community organization that provides direct services to limited English speaking consumers;
(b) One member from a community organization that provides direct services to limited English speaking consumers.
(c) Three members who are health care providers, including at least one member representing a community health center and one member representing a university-based public hospital, who utilize state-paid interpreter services to provide health care services to injured workers or medicaid enrollees;
(c) Two members who are a medical provider or represent organizations who utilize state-paid interpreter services to provide health care services to injured workers or medicaid enrollees.
The individuals may represent the same union;
The individuals may represent the same union.
(e) One member each from the Washington state office of equity established in RCW 43.06D.020, the department of social and health services, the health care authority, the department of labor and industries, and the department of enterprise services;
(e) One member each from the Washington state office of equity established in RCW 43.06D.020, the department of social and health services, the health care authority, the department of labor and industries, and the department of enterprise services.
(f) Two members representing a community and technical college.
One member must be from a college east of the summit of the Cascade mountains and one member must be from a college west of the summit of the Cascade mountains.
All members must be familiar with the practice of spoken language interpreter services and able to provide the department with p.
All members must be familiar with the practice of spoken language interpreter services and able to provide the department with expertise and assistance in carrying out the duties of this chapter.
6 ESSB 5995 expertise and assistance in carrying out the duties of this chapter.
The agency members must be appointed by their respective agency directors and then referred to the department for appointment to the advisory committee.
The agency members under subsection (1)(e) of this section must be appointed by their respective agency directors and then referred to the department for appointment to the advisory committee.
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The members under subsection (1)(f) of this section must be appointed by the executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges and then referred to the department for appointment to the advisory committee.
6 SB 5995 (3) The department must consult regularly with the advisory committee on issues related to interpreter and translator licensure and renewal.
(3) The department must consult regularly with the advisory committee on issues related to interpreter and translator licensure and renewal.
p.
(q) Chapter 19.158 RCW, commercial telephone solicitation;
7 ESSB 5995 (q) Chapter 19.158 RCW, commercial telephone solicitation;
and (s) Chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 13 of this act), interpreters and translators.
and (s) Chapter 18.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 15 of this act), interpreters and translators.
Expenditures from the account may be used only for expenses incurred in carrying out these business and professions licensing activities of the department.
Expenditures from the account may be used only for expenses incurred in carrying out these business and professions licensing activities p.
7 SB 5995 of the department.
NEW SECTION.
RCW 74.04.025 and 2023 c 94 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The department, the authority, and the office of administrative hearings shall ensure that bilingual services are provided to non-English-speaking applicants and recipients.
The services shall be provided to the extent necessary to assure that non-English-speaking persons are not denied, or unable to obtain or maintain, services or benefits because of their inability to speak English.
(2) If the number of non-English-speaking applicants or recipients sharing the same language served by any community service office client contact job classification equals or exceeds fifty percent of the average caseload of a full-time position in such classification, the department shall, through attrition, employ bilingual personnel to serve such applicants or recipients.
(3) Regardless of the applicant or recipient caseload of any community service office, each community service office shall ensure that bilingual services required to supplement the community service office staff are provided through contracts with language access providers, local agencies, or other community resources.
(4) The department shall certify, authorize, and qualify language access providers as needed to maintain an adequate pool of providers such that residents can access state services.
The department shall require the successful completion of oral and written tests in accordance with established standards to ensure that all language access providers are fluent in English and a primary non-English language.
Testing shall include evaluation of language competence, interpreting performance skills, understanding of the interpreter's role, and knowledge of the department's policies regarding p.
8 SB 5995 confidentiality, accuracy, impartiality, and neutrality.
Except as needed to certify, authorize, or qualify bilingual personnel per subsection (2) of this section, the department will only offer spoken language interpreter testing in the following manner:
(a) To individuals speaking languages for which ten percent or more of the requests for interpreter services in the prior year for department employees and the health care authority on behalf of limited English-speaking applicants and recipients of public assistance that went unfilled through the procurement process in RCW 39.26.300;
(b) To spoken language interpreters who were decertified or deauthorized due to noncompliance with any continuing education requirements;
and (c) To current department certified or authorized spoken language interpreters seeking to gain additional certification or authorization.
(5) The department shall require compliance with RCW 41.56.113(2) through its contracts with third parties.
(6) Initial client contact materials shall inform clients in all primary languages of the availability of interpretation services for non-English-speaking persons.
Basic informational pamphlets shall be translated into all primary languages.
(7) To the extent all written communications directed to applicants or recipients are not in the primary language of the applicant or recipient, the department and the office of administrative hearings shall include with the written communication a notice in all primary languages of applicants or recipients describing the significance of the communication and specifically how the applicants or recipients may receive assistance in understanding, and responding to if necessary, the written communication.
The department shall assure that sufficient resources are available to assist applicants and recipients in a timely fashion with understanding, responding to, and complying with the requirements of all such written communications.
(8) Nothing in this section prohibits the department from developing and administering a program to meet the requirements and standards established under chapter 94, Laws of 2023.
(9) No testing or certification authority may be awarded to a private entity with a financial interest in the ((direct)) provision of interpreter services.
p.
9 SB 5995 (10) As used in this section:
(a) "Language access provider" means any independent contractor who provides spoken language interpreter services for state agencies, injured worker, or crime victim appointments through the department of labor and industries, or medicaid enrollee appointments, or provided these services on or after January 1, 2009, and before June 10, 2010, whether paid by a broker, language access agency, or a state agency.
"Language access provider" does not mean a manager or employee of a broker or a language access agency.
(b) "Primary languages" includes but is not limited to Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and Chinese.
Sec.
14.
RCW 74.04.025 and 2023 c 94 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The department, the authority, and the office of administrative hearings shall ensure that bilingual services are provided to non-English-speaking applicants and recipients.
The services shall be provided to the extent necessary to assure that non-English-speaking persons are not denied, or unable to obtain or maintain, services or benefits because of their inability to speak English.
(2) If the number of non-English-speaking applicants or recipients sharing the same language served by any community service office client contact job classification equals or exceeds fifty percent of the average caseload of a full-time position in such classification, the department shall, through attrition, employ bilingual personnel to serve such applicants or recipients.
(3) Regardless of the applicant or recipient caseload of any community service office, each community service office shall ensure that bilingual services required to supplement the community service office staff are provided through contracts with language access providers, local agencies, or other community resources.
(4) ((The department shall certify, authorize, and qualify language access providers as needed to maintain an adequate pool of providers such that residents can access state services.
The department shall require the successful completion of oral and written tests in accordance with established standards to ensure that all language access providers are fluent in English and a primary non-English language.
Testing shall include evaluation of language competence, interpreting performance skills, understanding of the p.
10 SB 5995 interpreter's role, and knowledge of the department's policies regarding confidentiality, accuracy, impartiality, and neutrality.
Except as needed to certify, authorize, or qualify bilingual personnel per subsection (2) of this section, the department will only offer spoken language interpreter testing in the following manner:
(a) To individuals speaking languages for which ten percent or more of the requests for interpreter services in the prior year for department employees and the health care authority on behalf of limited English-speaking applicants and recipients of public assistance that went unfilled through the procurement process in RCW 39.26.300;
(b) To spoken language interpreters who were decertified or deauthorized due to noncompliance with any continuing education requirements;
and (c) To current department certified or authorized spoken language interpreters seeking to gain additional certification or authorization.
(5))) The department shall require compliance with RCW 41.56.113(2) through its contracts with third parties.
(((6))) (5) Initial client contact materials shall inform clients in all primary languages of the availability of interpretation services for non-English-speaking persons.
Basic informational pamphlets shall be translated into all primary languages.
(((7))) (6) To the extent all written communications directed to applicants or recipients are not in the primary language of the applicant or recipient, the department and the office of administrative hearings shall include with the written communication a notice in all primary languages of applicants or recipients describing the significance of the communication and specifically how the applicants or recipients may receive assistance in understanding, and responding to if necessary, the written communication.
The department shall assure that sufficient resources are available to assist applicants and recipients in a timely fashion with understanding, responding to, and complying with the requirements of all such written communications.
(((8) Nothing in this section prohibits the department from developing and administering a program to meet the requirements and standards established under chapter 94, Laws of 2023.
p.
11 SB 5995 (9))) (7) No testing or certification authority for bilingual employees may be awarded to a private entity with a financial interest in the ((direct)) provision of interpreter services.
(((10))) (8) As used in this section:
(a) "Language access provider" means any independent contractor who provides spoken language interpreter services for state agencies, injured worker, or crime victim appointments through the department of labor and industries, or medicaid enrollee appointments, or provided these services on or after January 1, 2009, and before June 10, 2010, whether paid by a broker, language access agency, or a state agency.
"Language access provider" does not mean a manager or employee of a broker or a language access agency.
(b) "Primary languages" includes but is not limited to Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and Chinese.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
15.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
16.
Section 13 of this act expires December 31, 2024.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
17.
Section 14 of this act takes effect January 1, 2025.
8 ESSB 5995
12 SB 5995
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Action History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  2. Public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 PM.

  3. First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.

  4. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  5. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  6. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  7. 1st substitute bill substituted (LC 24).

  8. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  9. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  10. Minority; do not pass.

  11. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  12. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.

  13. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.

  14. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

  15. Prefiled for introduction.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 141 not signed on · 16 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (141)

141 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 141 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#4)

Passed 30 Yea · 19 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 6400
Republican 11500
Democrat 23000
Total 301900
% of votes cast 61%39%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Billig — Yea
Hawkins — Nay
Keiser — Yea
Kuderer — Yea
Mullet — Yea
Padden — Nay
Randall — Yea
Rivers — Nay
Van De Wege — Yea
Wilson, L. — Nay
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Joe Nguyen Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Nay
Curtis King Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Nay
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5995?
SB 5995 is sponsored by Claire Wilson (Democrat), T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Kuderer, Keiser, Bob Hasegawa (Democrat), Yasmin Trudeau (Democrat), Claudia Kauffman (Democrat), Javier Valdez (Democrat), Rebecca Saldaña (Democrat), and Joe Nguyen (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5995?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 5995?
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