INTERPRETER SERVICES (SB 6245)
The procurement model for interpreter services used by Medicaid and DSHS has proven to be successful. A competitive bid process for scheduling vendors has reduced administrative costs, a collective bargaining process for the interpreters has increased pay, and overall costs to the state have declined. This measure would expand that procurement model to all of state government. In 2017, both bills got hearings in their respective Senate and House committees.
3/6/18 The Senate concurred with 2SSB 6245, the interpreter services expansion bill, on a vote of 32-16-1. It originally passed the Senate 31-16-2 and House 53-44-1. The bill now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature into law.
3/1/18 The House Thursday night (March 2) passed our priority interpreter services bill on a vote of 53-44.
Because the House amended , it must go back to the Senate for concurrence on those amendments.
2SSB 6245 would spread the success of the 7-year-old program won for medical interpreters that has streamlined scheduling and services and has been cost-effective.
The bill would expand that successful model to interpreters tied to other agencies, like Labor and Industries.
"Please pass this bill and let's save a lot of money," Local 1671 member Milena Waldron testified in the Senate earlier this session.
2/28/18 2SSB 6245: Interpreter services bill. 2SSB 6245 is now on the House’s Second Reading Calendar.
- CALL TO ACTION on interpreter services bill – 2SSB 6245: Dial 1-800-562-6000. Urge your House members to SUPPORT 2SSB 6245 to spread the successful interpreter program demonstrated by WFSE/AFSCME Interpreters United Local 1671 members to other agencies.
6/26/18 SB 6245 in now in House Rules waiting a full vote of the House. Deadline Mar 3.
6/22/18 Our priority Interpreters services bill 2SSB 6245 was voted out of the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee as amended 4-3 Thursday morning (Feb. 22). It now goes to the House Appropriations Committee where it has until Monday, Feb. 26, to pass. It earlier passed the Senate 31-16.
2/19/18 On this Presidents’ Day Lobby Day, calls needed on Interpreter Services Bill
Our priority bill to build on the current successful interpreter services system got its first hearing in the House Monday, on this the Federation’s Presidents’ Day Lobby Day. But House members need to hear from us on this issue.
The Interpreter Services Bill (2SSB 6245) would expand the successful system that members of Interpreters United Local 1671 have used to save money, improve services and better compensate medical interpreters.
The measure would allow the same system under other agencies, like Labor and Industries.
As in the past, the bill generated some opposition but proponents led by bill sponsor Sen. Rebecca Saldana of the 37th Dist. easily defused them in the hearing in the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee.
“This bill makes our procurement process more cost-efficient and effective, lowering costs for taxpayers – increasing pay for interpreters,” said Dennis Eagle, WFSE/AFSCME legislative and political action director.
“It’s a win-win.”
The current system works and Local 1671 members can tell why first-hand.
“With this bill...we can use technology to procure better-compensated interpreters, collect data and save millions for the taxpayers,” said Aida Sanchez-Vela, WFSE/AFSCME Interpreters United Local 1671.
- CALL TO ACTION: Call your House member at 1-800-562-6000 and urge passage of 2SSB 6245to expand the successful HCA procurement model and bring change for more cost-effective interpreter services to Labor and Industries and other agencies. It
2/9/18 The Senate on Friday night (Feb. 9) stood up for expanding our cost-effective interpreter services to cover services covered by other agencies. The Senate passed the Interpreter Services bill (2SSB 6245) on a vote of 31-16. It now goes to the House.
2/7/18 Bill to expand interpreter services (SSB 6245) is now in the Senate Rules Committee.
SSB 6245 passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee
2/6/18 And our priority bill to expand interpreter services (SSB 6245) passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee. It now goes to the House.
Interpreter services bill saves money, members tell Senate budget committee
2/2/18 The AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE)’s priority bill to expand the successful interpreter services program came before the Senate Ways and Means Committee Thursday night (Feb. 1) where WFSE/AFSCME Interpreters United Local 1671 President Leroy Mould said the 7-year-old program won for medical interpreters has streamlined scheduling and services and been cost-effective.
“These savings are the consequence of using our web-based scheduling system,” Local 1671 Secretary Milena Waldron added.
“The result has been that we have significant reductions in administrative costs and that’s enabled the interpreters to gain higher pay,” the AFSCME Council 28 (WFSE)’s Dennis Eagle told the committee.
The bill they testified on, SSB 6245, would expand that successful model to interpreters tied to other agencies, like Labor and Industries. SSB 6245 must clear the Senate Ways and Means Committee by Tuesday (Feb. 6).
1/26/18 Great turnout for Interpreters United Local 1671 Lobby Day
Also at the Capitol today, dozens of our medical interpreter members of Local 1671 turned out for their lobby day. The highlight of Interpreters United Lobby Day was meeting with and thanking Sen. Rebecca Saldana of the 37th District, sponsor of the interpreter services bill, SSB 6245.
1/23/18 The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Monday (Jan. 22) moved our priority Interpreter Services bill (SSB 6245) to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
1/18/18 Local 1671 Interpreters United members show support for the bill (SB 6245) to expand the state’s successful interpreter procurement system for medical Interpreters to other high-demand agencies like Labor and Industries.
“Please pass this bill and let’s save a lot of money,” Local 1671 member Milena Waldron told the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
Companion bill HB 1869.
