CA AB663

Prohibits for-profit organizations from using the term "legal aid" or confusingly similar names in business designations, advertisements, or signs unless they are nonprofit organizations providing free legal services to the poor.

Requires the Judicial Council to establish master agreements with vendors by July 1, 2010, to provide telephone appearances in civil cases, with vendors charging uniform statewide rates set by the Council and paying $15 per appearance plus a proportionate share of revenue to fund court interpreter services.

Directs the Judicial Council to establish a working group by September 1, 2010, to develop best practices for providing interpreters in civil proceedings and to select up to 5 courts for a pilot program beginning July 1, 2011, to provide interpreters in specified civil cases for parties with limited English proficiency proceeding in forma pauperis.

Requires pilot courts to provide interpreters in civil actions including domestic violence restraining orders, family law matters, unlawful detainer, probate guardianships, and elder abuse cases, funded through telephone appearance fees.

Expands the Judicial Council's study of language and interpreter use in courts (reporting requirements beginning July 1, 2016, every five years) to include data collection on interpreter needs and provision in both civil and criminal proceedings.