1999 Minnesota Statutes

     546.44 Qualified interpreter. 

    Subdivision 1.  No person shall be appointed as a qualified 
 interpreter pursuant to sections 546.42 to 546.44 unless that 
 person is readily able to communicate with the handicapped 
 person, translate the proceedings for the handicapped person, 
 and accurately repeat and translate the statements of the 
 handicapped person to the officials before whom the proceeding 
 is taking place.  

    Subd. 2.  A qualified interpreter appointed pursuant to the 
 provisions of sections 546.42 to 546.44, before entering upon 
 any duties shall take an oath promising, to the best of skill 
 and judgment, to make a true interpretation to the handicapped 
 person being examined of all the proceedings, in a language 
 which the person understands, and that the interpreter will 
 repeat in the English language the statements of the handicapped 
 person to the court or other official before whom the proceeding 
 is taking place.  

    Subd. 3.  The fees and expenses of a qualified interpreter 
 shall be determined by the presiding official and paid by the 
 court, board, commission, agency or licensing authority before 
 whom the proceeding is taking place.  The fees and expenses of a 
 qualified per diem interpreter for a court must be paid by the 
 state courts.  

    Subd. 4.    Disclosure.  A person serving as an 
 interpreter pursuant to sections 546.42 to 546.44, shall not, 
 without the consent of the person handicapped in communication, 
 be allowed to disclose any privileged communication made by the 
 person or any privileged information gathered from the person 
 which was communicated or gathered during the time of service as 
 the interpreter.  

    HIST: 1975 c 337 s 3; 1981 c 131 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1999 c 216 
 art 7 s 37 

*   NOTE:  Laws 1999, chapter 216, article 7, section 46, 
*subdivision 3, provides specific effective dates for the state 
*takeover of miscellaneous court costs under subdivision 3, as 
*amended by Laws 1999, chapter 216, article 7, section 37.