(A)

(1) Whenever because of a hearing, speech, or other impairment a party to or witness in a legal proceeding cannot readily understand or communicate, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to assist such person.

(2) This section is not limited to a person who speaks a language other than English. It also applies to the language and descriptions of any person with a developmental disability who cannot be reasonably understood, or who cannot understand questioning, without the aid of an interpreter. The interpreter may aid the parties in formulating methods of questioning the person with a developmental disability and in interpreting the answers of the person.

(B) Before entering upon official duties, the interpreter shall take an oath that the interpreter will make a true interpretation of the proceedings to the party or witness, and that the interpreter will truly repeat the statements made by such party or witness to the court, to the best of the interpreter's ability. If the interpreter is appointed to assist a person with a developmental disability as described in division (A)(2) of this section, the oath also shall include an oath that the interpreter will not prompt, lead, suggest, or otherwise improperly influence the testimony of the witness or party.

(C) The court shall determine a reasonable fee for all such interpreter service which shall be paid out of the same funds as witness fees. If the party taxed with costs is indigent, the court shall not tax the interpreter's fees as costs, and the county or, if the court is a municipal court that is not a county-operated municipal court, the municipal corporation in which the court is located shall pay the interpreter's fees.

(D) As used in this section, " developmental disability" has the same meaning as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 158, §1, eff. 10/12/2016.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 309, §1, eff. 9/17/2014.

Effective Date: 01-30-2004 .