SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 106

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED DECEMBER 19, 1996

By Senator CARDINALE

A Concurrent Resolution concerning reciprocity for court interpreters.

Whereas, For large numbers of New Jersey residents, English is a second language; and

Whereas, Many of these persons require the services of a court interpreter in order to properly communicate in the courtroom with English-speaking attorneys, prosecutors and judges; and

Whereas, There is a great need for court interpreters who are capable and professional; and

Whereas, Court interpreters perform a vital service in the interests of justice; and

Whereas, Other states, in addition to New Jersey, require that applicants for the position of court interpreter pass rigorous qualifying examinations in the foreign language they wish to interpret; and

Whereas, The Administrative Office of the Courts, which examines and qualifies court interpreters on behalf of the New Jersey Supreme Court, does not grant reciprocity to all New Jersey residents who have successfully completed the qualifying examinations given by other states and who are certified in those states; and

Whereas, Fairness, efficiency and cost savings will be achieved if New Jersey residents who are properly certified as court interpreters in other states no longer are required to again pass qualifying examinations and certification in New Jersey; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

    1. That the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey is respectfully requested to grant reciprocity and full accreditation to New Jersey residents who are fully certified in other states as court interpreters.

    2. That duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly, be transmitted to the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey.

STATEMENT

    This concurrent resolution would respectfully request the New Jersey Supreme Court to grant reciprocity for court interpreters who are certified by other states.

    The resolution asks the Court to grant full accreditation to court interpreters who are New Jersey residents and who have already passed qualifying examinations and certification requirements of other states.

    Granting reciprocity would be a cost savings and efficiency measure for the State.

Requests that the New Jersey Supreme Court grant reciprocity for the certification of court reporters who are qualified in other states.