1. As used in NRS 50.050 to 50.053, inclusive, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Interpreter” means a:

(1) Registered interpreter;

(2) Registered legal interpreter; or

(3) Person who is appointed as an interpreter pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 50.0515.

(b) “Person with a communications disability” means a person who, because the person is deaf or has a physical speaking impairment, cannot readily understand or communicate in the English language or cannot understand the proceedings.

(c) “Registered interpreter” means a person registered with the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to NRS 656A.100 to engage in the practice of interpreting.

(d) “Registered legal interpreter” means a person registered with the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to NRS 656A.100 to engage in the practice of interpreting in a legal setting.

2. In all judicial proceedings in which a person with a communications disability appears as a witness, the court, magistrate or other person presiding over the proceedings shall appoint an interpreter to interpret the proceedings to that person and to interpret the testimony of that person to the court, magistrate or other person presiding.

3. The court, magistrate or other person presiding over the proceedings shall fix a reasonable compensation for the services and expenses of the interpreter appointed pursuant to this section. If the judicial proceeding is civil in nature, the compensation of the interpreter may be taxed as costs, except that the person with a communications disability for whose benefit the interpreter is appointed must not be taxed, charged a fee or otherwise required to pay any portion of the compensation of the interpreter.

4. Claims against a county, municipality, this State or any agency thereof for the compensation of an interpreter in a criminal proceeding or other proceeding for which an interpreter must be provided at public expense must be paid in the same manner as other claims against the respective entities are paid. Payment may be made only upon the certificate of the judge, magistrate or other person presiding over the proceedings that the interpreter has performed the services required and incurred the expenses claimed.

(Added to NRS by 1975, 308; A 1979, 656; 2001, 1774; 2007, 168; 2009, 2368; 2011, 233)