08/18/2021 AOC CIO Endorsed on behalf of AOC Endorsing Group.

In order to ensure equitable access to the courts, courts must provide interpreters for court customers who have limited English proficiency or are deaf or hard of hearing. Scheduling court interpreters can be a complex process for the courts as interpreter scheduling is often times a manual, labor-intensive process for court staff, and the ramifications and stakes of not being able to get a court credentialed interpreter in a timely manner is an access to justice issue. Considerations for scheduling include the availability of interpreters in a given language, the location and length of the encounter, the qualifications of the interpreter, the proximity of the interpreter to the court, the amount of notice the court needs to provide for the interpreter service, and so on.
A number of courts have found solutions to the otherwise manual process of scheduling interpreters. One solution is to pay a commercial vendor who helps the court schedule interpreters. That solution adds additional costs to the court and to the interpreter to pay the vendor for the service. Another solution that courts have found is using an online interpreter scheduling service, operating as a software as service platform. This solution has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient way for courts to schedule court credentialed interpreters in a timely manner. Unfortunately, one of the most popular online interpreter scheduling services plans to discontinue this service.

This package supports the objective of Accessibility by promoting equal access to justice for all individuals regardless of their ability to communicate in the spoken English language. Language interpreters play an essential role in ensuring due process and helping court proceedings function efficiently and effectively.
This package supports the objective of Commitment to Effective Court Management by making a state-provided software application available for courts to schedule court interpreters. This application would reduce costs to courts currently using third-party software products and would provide courts using manual process a more efficient process to complete this vital function.

The Administrative Office of the Courts proposes to conduct requirements gathering, analysis, and an options analysis to determine the most efficient option for developing or procuring a state-wide interpreter scheduling application.
An optimal solution would provide a statewide online interpreter scheduling application that could be used by every court in Washington State. At a minimum, the system would allow searches for court credentialed interpreters and schedule them based on location, language, payment terms, expected job duration, interpreter travel distance, etc. It would also provide notification, confirmation, and reminders to interpreters via email or text. Ideally, the system could also have the ability to directly connect to remote participation with the interpreter either by telephone or video.
The system would also be able to connect to the Language Access Interpreter Reimbursement Program, and have the possibility of connecting to the courts' case management systems. Connecting to the reimbursement program would provide greater efficiency for courts and AOC staff administering the program, as courts would no longer be required to report their interpreter usage data as it will already be captured by the scheduling software.
By conducting the requirements gathering, analysis, and options analysis, the Administrative Office of the Courts will be laying the foundation for implementing a statewide solution to address this key need of the state's courts.

The Administrative Office of the Courts proposes to conduct requirements gathering, analysis, and an options analysis to determine the most efficient option for developing or procuring a state-wide interpreter scheduling application.
An optimal solution would provide a statewide online interpreter scheduling application that could be used by every court in Washington State. At a minimum, the system would allow searches for court credentialed interpreters and schedule them based on location, language, payment terms, expected job duration, interpreter travel distance, etc. It would also provide notification, confirmation, and reminders to interpreters via email or text. Ideally, the system could also have the ability to directly connect to remote participation with the interpreter either by telephone or video.
The system would also be able to connect to the Language Access Interpreter Reimbursement Program, and have the possibility of connecting to the courts' case management systems. Connecting to the reimbursement program would provide greater efficiency for courts and AOC staff administering the program, as courts would no longer be required to report their interpreter usage data as it will already be captured by the scheduling software.
By conducting the requirements gathering, analysis, and options analysis, the Administrative Office of the Courts will be laying the foundation for implementing a statewide solution to address this key need of the state's courts.