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March 31, 2005
The Honorable Gloria Negrete McLeod
Chair, Business and Professions Committee
California State Assembly
State Capitol, Room 5016
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 319-2161
RE: AB 775, Prohibiting the Use of Children as Interpreters in Medical Settings
SUPPORT
Dear Assemblymember Negrete McLeod:
On behalf of the National Association for Judiciary Interpreters and
Translators, I urge you to support passage of Assembly Bill 775, prohibiting the
use of children as interpreters in hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices.
It has become all too common for children to be used as interpreters as a matter
of convenience for service providers. The effects on children can be
devastating, and they should not be used as intermediaries in medical
situations. They become integral participants in inappropriate situations that
could be potentially traumatizing to them. The possibility of misinformation and
error due to a child’s ignorance and embarrassment provide additional strong
incentive to remove children from bearing such a heavy burden. It can also lead
to critical and even life-threatening outcomes.
AB 775 creates policy appropriate for California, reflecting our diversity and
our responsibility to and for our children. Please register our support for this
sensible and sensitive legislation.
Sincerely,
Alexander Raïnof, Ph.D.
Chair, Board of Directors
National Association of Judiciary
Interpreters and Translators
Cc: Members of Business and Professions Committee
Speaker pro Tempore Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D.
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