HB 1419
In CommitteeHouse
Interpreter background check
Requiring interpreters providing services under certain state contracts and purchase agreements to complete national fingerprint background checks.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill requires interpreters working on state contracts to undergo federal fingerprint background checks and annual FBI identity history checks to enhance safety and trust in services provided to limited English-speaking residents. It updates background check timing for new and existing interpreters and keeps existing procurement rules in place.
- Requires interpreters hired before July 1, 2026 to submit an FBI fingerprint background check by that date.
- Requires interpreters hired on or after July 1, 2026 to submit an FBI fingerprint background check before beginning work.
- Requires all interpreters providing services under state contracts to submit an FBI identity history summary at least once per year starting July 1, 2026.
- Maintains existing authority for state agencies (DSHS, DCYF, HCA, and L&I) to contract for interpreter services, including through telephonic and video remote technologies.
- Requires interpreters to be certified or authorized by the state or nationally certified (e.g., by the Certification Commission for Health Care Interpreters or the National Board for Certification of Medical Interpreters), with flexibility for alternative qualifications when certified interpreters are unavailable.
Who is affected
- Language interpreters providing services under state contracts — Interpreters must now pass a federal fingerprint background check before starting work (for new hires) or by July 1, 2026 (for existing interpreters), and annually thereafter submit an FBI identity history summary.
- State agencies (including DSHS, DCYF, HCA, and L&I) — State agencies must ensure interpreters they contract with or hire meet new background check requirements, potentially affecting how they manage interpreter contracts and onboarding.
- Limited English-speaking individuals receiving state services — Limited English-speaking residents who rely on public assistance or medical services may experience changes in interpreter availability or vetting, though access to services is preserved.
- Language access providers — Language access providers who contract with the state must ensure their interpreters comply with the new background check rules to maintain eligibility for contracts.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
Federal fingerprint and identity history checks enhance trust and safety for limited English-speaking residents—many of whom are low-income, immigrant, or vulnerable populations—by verifying interpreter identities and criminal histories, reducing risk of fraud, abuse, or exploitation in sensitive settings like medical or legal interpreting.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(7)(a)-(c)Annual FBI identity history summaries provide ongoing vetting, which is especially important for interpreters working in high-risk contexts (e.g., domestic violence, mental health, immigration court), where trust and safety are critical to effective service delivery and disclosure of sensitive information.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(7)(c)Pre-hire background checks for new interpreters prevent individuals with recent criminal histories from accessing vulnerable populations before scrutiny—protecting children, elderly clients, and trauma survivors who rely on state-provided interpretation in DSHS, DCYF, and L&I programs.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(7)(b)Maintaining existing certification and authorization standards—while allowing flexibility when certified interpreters are unavailable—helps preserve language access for underserved communities, especially in less commonly taught languages, without compromising quality or safety.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(6)
Potential Concerns (4)
Interpreters—especially independent contractors and small language access providers—must now undergo fingerprinting and annual FBI identity history checks, which involve out-of-pocket costs (fingerprinting fees, FBI processing fees, time off work) and administrative burdens that may reduce their net earnings or discourage participation in state-contracted work.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(7)(a)-(c)New interpreters hired on or after July 1, 2026 must complete background checks *before* beginning work, potentially delaying service delivery and creating a bottleneck if FBI processing times are slow—especially for high-demand languages where qualified interpreters are already scarce.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1(7)(b)Annual FBI identity history checks may improve public safety by identifying individuals with new criminal histories, but the bill provides no evidence that interpreters pose a unique risk requiring such frequent checks—making the burden disproportionate to the actual safety gain, especially compared to other public-facing state workers not subject to annual federal checks.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(7)(c)State agencies (e.g., DSHS, L&I) must now verify compliance with background checks for all contracted interpreters, adding administrative overhead to procurement and contract management—costs likely passed through to language access providers and ultimately to state budgets, potentially diverting funds from direct service delivery.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(7)(a)-(c)
Who Is Most Affected
Interpreters—especially independent contractors and small language access providers—face new out-of-pocket costs and administrative burdens (fingerprinting, annual FBI checks), which may reduce net income or discourage participation, especially for low-volume or low-paying contracts. However, increased trust from vetting may improve client retention and long-term contracts.
State agencies gain stronger assurance of interpreter reliability and safety, but must invest in new compliance verification processes and potentially face delays in onboarding interpreters—especially in high-demand languages where certified providers are scarce. This may increase administrative costs but reduce liability risk.
Limited English-speaking residents—particularly low-income, immigrant, and trauma-affected individuals—benefit from increased safety and trust in interpreter services, especially in medical, legal, and child welfare contexts. However, if background checks cause interpreter shortages or delays, access to services may temporarily worsen.
Language access providers must invest in compliance infrastructure (e.g., tracking annual checks, managing documentation) and may absorb costs for interpreters on their rosters. Small providers may struggle more than large ones, potentially consolidating the market—though larger providers may benefit from economies of scale in compliance.