HF 3012

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/12/2014 11:36am

A bill for an act
relating to judiciary; providing back pay and compensation adjustments to
contract court interpreters; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes
2012, section 480.182; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 480.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [480.176] COURT INTERPRETERS; CONTRACTS.
new text end

new text begin If a state court enters into a contract for court interpreter services, the contract
must provide a compensation rate increase for interpreters at the same rate as any
across-the-board rate increase for interpreters who are state employees in the judicial
branch.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2014, and applies to any
contracts entered into or renewed on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 480.182, is amended to read:

480.182 STATE ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN COURT COSTS.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the state courts will pay for the following
court-related programs and costs:

(1) court interpreter program costs, including the costs of hiring new text begin and placing staff
and contract new text end court interpreters;

(2) guardian ad litem program and personnel costs;

(3) examination costs, not including hospitalization or treatment costs, for mental
commitments and related proceedings under chapter 253B;

(4) examination costs under rule 20 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure;

(5) in forma pauperis costs;

(6) costs for transcripts mandated by statute, except in appeal cases and
postconviction cases handled by the Board of Public Defense;

(7) jury program costs; and

(8) witness fees and mileage fees specified in sections 253B.23, subdivision 1;
260B.152, subdivision 2; 260B.331, subdivision 3, clause (1); 260C.152, subdivision 2;
260C.331, subdivision 3, clause (1); 357.24; 357.32; and 627.02.

Sec. 3. new text begin CONTRACT COURT INTERPRETERS; BACK PAY; ONETIME PAY
ADJUSTMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Back pay required. new text end

new text begin The Supreme Court shall pay to each eligible
person a lump-sum payment equal to the compensation amount calculated in subdivision
3, paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Compensation adjustment. new text end

new text begin The Supreme Court shall set compensation
rates for eligible contracts in the amount calculated in subdivision 3, paragraph (c), but in
no instance shall the compensation rate be lowered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Calculations. new text end

new text begin (a) The Supreme Court shall calculate the cost-of-living
adjustment percentage received each year by staff court interpreters across the board
beginning in 2000.
new text end

new text begin (b) For each eligible person, the court shall determine what compensation the person
would have received had the person under contract received the same percentage increase
under paragraph (a) from calendar year 2000 or the initial contract date, whichever is
later, through calendar year 2013.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Supreme Court shall calculate compensation rates for contract court
interpreters at a rate equivalent to the salaried hourly rates established for staff court
interpreters employed by the judicial branch.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Eligible person" means a court interpreter under contract with the state of
Minnesota on and before the effective date of this section.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible contract" means a contract with the state of Minnesota for court
interpreter services in effect, renewed, or created on or after July 1, 2014.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section applies to court interpreters under contract with
the state of Minnesota on July 1, 2014.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin CONTRACT COURT INTERPRETERS; APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2015 is appropriated from the general fund to the Supreme
Court for costs associated with this act.
new text end