BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1376
Author: Roger Hernández (D)
Amended: 9/6/13 in Senate
Vote: 27 - Urgency
PRIOR VOTES NOT RELEVANT
SUBJECT : Workers compensation: medical treatment:
interpreters
SOURCE : Voters Injured at Work
DIGEST : This bill, among other things, creates a
qualification process for interpreters in administrative
hearings, as well as delineates the responsibility for the
maintenance of the list of certified interpreters that can be
used in administrative hearings, and extends the period of time
a qualified interpreter must be certified for a medical
treatment interpretive services to March 1, 2014.
Senate Floor Amendments of 9/6/13 (1) delete prior version of
the bill; (2) extend the period of time an qualified interpreter
must be certified for medical treatment interpretive services to
March 1, 2014; and (3) add an urgency clause.
ANALYSIS : Existing law establishes a workers' compensation
system, administered by the Administrative Director of the
Division of Workers' Compensation, that generally requires
employers to secure the payment of workers' compensation for
injuries incurred by their employees that arise out of, or in
CONTINUED
AB 1376
Page
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the course of, employment. Existing law requires an employer to
provide all medical services reasonably required to cure or
relieve the injured worker from the effects of the injury.
Under existing law, if the injured employee cannot effectively
communicate with his/her treating physician because he/she
cannot proficiently speak or understand the English language,
the injured employee is entitled to the services of a qualified
interpreter during medical treatment appointments. Existing law
requires that, to be a qualified interpreter for these purposes,
a person meet any requirements established by rule by the
administrative director, as specified.
This bill, among other things, creates a qualification process
for interpreters in administrative hearings, as well as
delineates the responsibility for the maintenance of the list of
certified interpreters that can be used in administrative
hearings, and extends the period of time a qualified interpreter
must be certified for a medical treatment interpretive services
to March 1, 2014.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local:
No
SUPPORT : (Verified 9/9/13)
Voters Injured at Work (source)
PQ:k 9/9/13 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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