HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 50

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Janice E. Arnold-Jones

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING A STUDY OF THE NEED FOR LANGUAGE SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS TO ENSURE THAT LIMITED ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSONS ARE REPRESENTED AND RECEIVE DUE PROCESS IN ALL ASPECTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATING TO LEGAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a large population of limited English speakers; and

     WHEREAS, all persons are constitutionally guaranteed due process protections; and

     WHEREAS, interpreting services provided in person or via video or telephone may benefit New Mexico's limited English speakers; and

     WHEREAS, written translation services may benefit New Mexico's limited English speakers, especially if they must deal with medical documents, prescriptions with instructions and judicial documents; and

     WHEREAS, licensing medical and judicial interpreters and translators may benefit New Mexico's limited English speakers and create new jobs for New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, setting standards for interpreters and translators may help ensure proper communication to limited English speakers; and

      WHEREAS, requiring that all language services for legal, judicial or medical communication purposes be provided by certified interpreters and translators may help to ensure that language support services are provided at the proper level of proficiency;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health, the human services department, the children, youth and families department, the administrative office of the courts and the department of public safety be requested to study the need to license language support professionals to help ensure that limited English speaking persons are represented and receive due process in all aspects of state government, especially those relating to legal and medical services; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of the study and recommendations be made to the appropriate interim legislative committee on or before December 1, 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of health, the human services department, the children, youth and families department, the administrative office of the courts, the department of public safety and appropriate legislative committees.

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