Bill 2159

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               2159
Ratification Number:       136
Act Number                 97
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Provide interpreters for a deaf person
                           who is party to any legal proceeding

(A97, R136, H2159)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 15-27-15 SO AS TO PROVIDE INTERPRETERS FOR A DEAF PERSON WHO IS PARTY TO ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING OR A WITNESS THEREIN OR CONFINED TO ANY INSTITUTION; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE BE PERMITTED TO ADJUST SALARY LEVELS OF EMPLOYEES OF THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Interpreters for the deaf

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 15-27-15. Whenever any deaf person is a party to any legal proceeding or a witness therein, or confined to any institution, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter, or as many as needed, approved by the deaf person and either the South Carolina Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf to interpret the proceedings to and the testimony of the deaf person unless the deaf person waives such or the judge finds that it is not necessary for the fulfillment of justice. The court shall determine a reasonable fee for interpreting services which must be paid out of the general fund of the State from such funds appropriated to the Judicial Department for this purpose by the General Assembly."

Judicial employees' salary adjustment

SECTION 2. Effective July 1, 1985, the Chief Justice is empowered to adjust salary levels of employees of the Judicial Department from funds appropriated to the Judicial Department.

Time effective

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.