WA People
BILL · 2023–24 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5304

SB 5304: Language access/testing

Testing individuals who provide language access to state services.

Summary

  • Provides that the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) must ensure that all language access providers are fluent in English and a primary non-English language through completion of oral and written tests.
  • Prohibits the DSHS from granting testing or certification authority to a private entity with a financial interest in the direct provision of interpreter services.
  • Requires the DSHS to convene a language access work group to study and make recommendations regarding interpretive service certification policies and programs for limited and non-English speaking Washingtonians with a final report due December 1, 2023.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5304), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 94, Laws of 2023
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2023
  2. Out of committeeFeb 24, 2023
  3. Passed SenateMar 8, 2023
  4. Passed HouseApr 5, 2023
  5. GovernorApr 14, 2023
  6. LawApr 14, 2023
Prime sponsor
Rebecca Saldaña (D-37)
Introduced
January 12, 2023 in the Senate
Last action
April 14, 2023
Session law
Chapter 94, Laws of 2023
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5304, SSB 5304

AN ACT Relating to testing individuals who provide language access to state services;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Rebecca Saldaña (D-37)

4 co-sponsors (4 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Joe Nguyen D-34T'wina Nobles D-28Javier Valdez D-46Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 8, 2023
Version voted on: SSB 5304
48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28001
Republican20000
How each member voted

Yea (48)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed April 5, 2023
Version voted on: SSB 5304
94 Yea 4 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58000
Republican36400
How each member voted

Yea (94)

Nay (4)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 7/23/2023. (SSB 5304)
  2. Chapter 94, 2023 Laws. (SSB 5304)
  3. Governor signed. (SSB 5304)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (SSB 5304)
  5. Speaker signed. (SSB 5304)
  6. President signed. (SSB 5304)
  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 0. (SSB 5304)
  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5304)
  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5304)
  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5304)
  11. HSEL - Executive action taken by committee. (SSB 5304)
  12. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5304)
  13. HSEL - Majority; do pass. (SSB 5304)
  14. First reading, referred to Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning. (SSB 5304)
  15. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5304)
  16. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5304)
  17. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5304)
  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5304)
  20. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  21. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5304)
  22. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  23. WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Human Services. (SSB 5304)
  24. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5304)
  25. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5304)
  26. Minority; do not pass.
  27. Minority; without recommendation.
  28. WM - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Human Services.
  29. Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 5304)
  30. Referred to Ways & Means.
  31. And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 5304)
  32. HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5304)
  33. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5304)
  34. Minority; without recommendation.
  35. HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  36. And refer to Ways & Means.
  37. First reading, referred to Human Services.

SB 5304 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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