HB335 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code sections 12-21-131 and 15-1-3 to expand interpreter services in criminal, juvenile, and protection from abuse proceedings.

• Allows courts to appoint interpreters during protection from abuse proceedings and juvenile court intake processes upon request of any party or witness.

• Expands who may request interpreters to explicitly include complainants and petitioners, in addition to defendants, juveniles, and witnesses.

• Clarifies that interpreters may be appointed for individuals who do not speak or adequately understand English, or are deaf, in all covered proceeding types.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.