Sec. 1. 39-A MRSA §329 is enacted to read:

§329.__Interpreter required

An employee whose native language is not English and who does not understand the English language to the degree necessary to reasonably understand and participate in proceedings that affect the employee's rights is entitled to have an interpreter present at all proceedings before the board or a hearing officer relating to that employee's rights.__The board shall provide and pay the cost of the interpreter.__To the extent possible, the board shall use the services of interpreters employed by the Department of Labor to meet the needs of employees in the workers' compensation system.

SUMMARY

This bill provides that an employee who is not fluent in English is entitled to have an interpreter present during workers' compensation proceedings that affect the employee. The Workers' Compensation Board would provide or pay the cost of the interpreter and must share the services of interpreters in the Department of Labor to the extent possible.