Florida Senate - 2019                                     SB 656
       
       
        
       By Senator Baxley
       
       
       
       
       
       12-00955-19                                            2019656__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to background screening; amending ss.
    3         25.386 and 44.106, F.S.; requiring that certain
    4         standards and procedures for foreign language court
    5         interpreters and mediators, respectively, include
    6         level 2 background screenings; providing an effective
    7         date.
    8          
    9  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   10  
   11         Section 1. Section 25.386, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   12  read:
   13         25.386 Foreign language court interpreters.—The Supreme
   14  Court shall establish minimum standards and procedures for
   15  qualifications, certification, professional conduct, discipline,
   16  and training of foreign language court interpreters who are
   17  appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction. Such standards
   18  and procedures must require a level 2 background screening
   19  conducted in accordance with chapter 435. The Supreme Court
   20  shall set fees to be charged to applicants for certification and
   21  renewal of certification as a foreign language court
   22  interpreter. The revenues generated from such fees shall be used
   23  to offset the costs of administration of the certification
   24  program and shall be deposited into the Administrative Trust
   25  Fund within the state courts system. The Supreme Court may
   26  appoint or employ such personnel as are necessary to assist the
   27  court in administering this section.
   28         Section 2. Section 44.106, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   29  read:
   30         44.106 Standards and procedures for mediators and
   31  arbitrators; fees.—The Supreme Court shall establish minimum
   32  standards and procedures for qualifications, certification,
   33  professional conduct, discipline, and training for mediators and
   34  arbitrators who are appointed pursuant to this chapter. Such
   35  standards and procedures for mediators must require a level 2
   36  background screening conducted in accordance with chapter 435.
   37  The Supreme Court is authorized to set fees to be charged to
   38  applicants for certification and renewal of certification. The
   39  revenues generated from these fees shall be used to offset the
   40  costs of administration of the certification process. The
   41  Supreme Court may appoint or employ such personnel as are
   42  necessary to assist the court in exercising its powers and
   43  performing its duties under this chapter.
   44         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019.