AB-1916 • 2026

Courts: court interpreters.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Lee
Last action: 2026-06-04
Official status: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the bill addresses equal treatment or procedural specifics beyond including sign language interpreters in existing rules.

Court Interpreters: Expanding Coverage

This law makes sure sign language interpreters are included in the rules and protections that apply to other court interpreters.

What This Bill Does

Adds sign language interpreters to the set of rules for court interpreters under the Trial Court Interpreter Employment and Labor Relations Act.
Specifies that American Sign Language is considered a spoken language within these rules.

Who It Names or Affects

Sign language interpreters working in courts
Courts that hire sign language interpreters

Terms To Know

certified interpreter: An interpreter who has passed a test to show they can do the job well.
pro tempore: A temporary position for someone hired to work only when needed.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how much money will be given to courts to follow these new rules.
The bill does not explain what happens if a court cannot find enough certified or registered interpreters.

Bill History

2026-06-04 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-04-28 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-27 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 2. Page 4836.)
2026-04-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 22).
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (March 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-02 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-02-13 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1916, as amended, Lee.
Courts: court interpreters.
The Trial Court Interpreter Employment and Labor Relations Act (the act) establishes procedures governing the employment and compensation of certified and registered trial court interpreters and court interpreters pro tempore employed by the
courts.
courts to perform spoken language interpretation.
Under existing law, these provisions do not apply to sign language interpreters.
This bill would make the provisions of the act applicable to sign language interpreters.
The bill would specify that spoken language includes American Sign Language for purposes of these provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF