What's happening
This bill requires parole board interpreters to be appointed from the New York State Office of General Services statewide administrative services contract, removing the certification requirement.
Why it matters
Shifts interpreter selection to a state contract system. By requiring interpreters to be chosen from the New York State Office of General Services statewide administrative services contract, the bill centralizes and standardizes how interpreters are provided for parole proceedings.
Removes independent certification requirement. The bill eliminates the need for interpreters to hold certification from a recognized national or New York State credentialing authority, which could broaden the pool of available interpreters but may raise concerns about interpreter quality or consistency.
Aims to streamline proceedings and reduce delays. The bill maintains language ensuring that the process of requesting or appointing an interpreter must not delay an individual's release from incarceration, highlighting a focus on efficiency in parole hearings.
Potential impact on non-English speakers’ rights. While the bill seeks administrative efficiency, it may affect the quality of interpretation for foreign-born or non-English speaking individuals, potentially impacting their ability to fully participate or understand their parole proceedings.
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Who cares
Foreign-born or non-English-speaking people in parole proceedings
The bill would require qualified interpreters to be appointed through the state contract for their interviews and hearings, while retaining the ban on delaying release because of an interpreter request or appointment.
New York State Board of Parole
The board would have to use the Office of General Services statewide administrative services contract to appoint interpreters and would remain responsible for setting reasonable fees and paying the costs.
Interpreter service providers
The bill would make the state contract the source of appointments and remove the explicit requirement that interpreters hold certification from a recognized national or New York State credentialing authority.
Headline styles
Require Interpreters in Parole Hearings
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.9
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- 3rd reading cal.4
- Substituted for S971
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.14
- Reported
- Referred to correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Interpreters for Parole Hearings
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Gustavo Rivera
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
368
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SEPULVEDA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the appointment of interpreters to be used in parole board proceedings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 8 of section 259-i of the executive law, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2016, amending the executive law relating to translation services for inmates appearing before the parole board, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 992 and A. 5548, is amended to read as follows:
8. Foreign born or non-English speaking person before the board. Upon notification from the department pursuant to section two hundred fiftynine-e of this article, or upon the request of any foreign born or non- English speaking person who is scheduled to participate in an interview, parole release hearing, preliminary hearing or revocation hearing, there shall be appointed from the New York state office of general services statewide administrative services contract, a qualified interpreter [who is certified by a recognized national or New York state credentialing authority] to interpret the proceedings to and the statements or testimony of such person. The board shall determine a reasonable fee for all such interpreting services, the cost of which shall be a charge upon the board of parole. No such request or appointment shall cause a delay of release from incarceration of such person.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2016, amending the executive law relating to translation services for inmates appearing before the parole board, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 992 and A. 5548, takes effect.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07067-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.