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The NAJIT Advocacy Committee
has been involved in the following important subjects:

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Your action needed in support of S. 702,
The State Court Interpreters Grant Program Act.

This landmark bill would authorize a new federal grant program to provide states with funding to develop, implement and expand state court interpreter programs. The bill is expected to see action this spring or summer in the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee, but enactment is far from assured. We need your help to ensure that this worthy bill becomes U.S. Law. Click here for more details on this legislation.

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Your action Needed in support of California Senate Bill 1523 (Kuehl)

SB 1523 would require law enforcement agencies to adopt procedures to ensure accurate communication with women with limited English proficiency in instance where they are victims of crime. Click here for more details.

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Advocacy Archives

• March 20, 2008 -- Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law -- Selected Early Findings from a 50-Sate Study of Language Access in Civil State Court Proceedings.
  
  
• February 21, 2008 -- Department of Justice comments on the National Center for State Courts' "Model Judges Bench Book on Court Interpreting."

• NAJIT's March 12, 2008, letter providing views on Maryland Bill 256, a bill concerning Criminal Procedure and the right to a speedy trial.

• Joint Statement by The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators & The American Translators Association: In re: Washington Post Story by Ernesto Londoño Saturday, July 21, 2007 “Md. Judge Dismisses Abuse Charges: Clerk Was Unable To Find Interpreter”

• Letter of support to extend, prioritize and expedite asylum applications and special visas to Iraqi and Afghan Interpreters and Translators (word document)

• NAJIT Response to Hawaii Rules 2007

• NAJIT letter in support of AB 615 to improve California's emergency preparedness and response system to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals.

• NAJIT's letter in support of S. 702 to authorize the Attorney General to award grants to State courts to develop and implement State court interpreter programs - April 2007

• NAJIT letter to Virginia courts - March 2007. (The names and addresses of the individual judge's have been omitted on purpose. NAJIT sent letters to 38 judges.)

• NAJIT Supports Washington State court interpreter HB 2176, SB 6005, and Justice in Jeopardy Funding Package.

• Updated NAJIT testimony to Senate Committee on Ways and Means SB 625, February 22, 2007

• Letter to Rep. Helen Sommers and to Sen. Margarita Prentice, January 21, 2007.

• NAJIT Supports Hawaii court interpreting HB 600 and SB 625, January 2007.

• NAJIT supports California funding for court interpreters. Read letter to Gov. Arnold

• Schwarzenegger. January 2007.

• NAJIT supports Pennsylvania court interpreting bill, October 2006.

• NAJIT statement on veto of California bill on court interpreters in civil matters. October 2006

• NAJIT Board decision on resolution submitted at Annual Meeting

• NAJIT writes to California Governor supporting funding for interpreters in civil cases. June 2006

• NAJIT writes to News-Herald, Ohio, regarding article on court interpreting. November 2005.

• NAJIT writes to judge about offender sentenced to provide interpreting services. June 2005.

• NAJIT requests Texas Governor Perry to veto HB 1642. June 2005.

• NAJIT letter supports California Biliteracy Seal. April 2005.

• New NAJIT letter supports California bill prohibiting child interpreters. March 2005.

• NAJIT supports Hawaii bill on court interpreters. March 2005.

• Joint ATA/NAJIT Statement on Recent Conviction of Mohammed Yousry.

• ProEnglish lawsuit in San Diego dismissed March 2005. Click here for NAJIT'S letter opposing the suit. October 2004.

• NAJIT supports bill to award grants for state interpreter programs. February 2004.

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Contact us to share your information and concerns about public issues, pending legislation, or policy matters.