Workers' compensation: medical treatment: interpreters.

Existing law establishes a workers' compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, that generally requires employers to secure the payment of workers' compensation for injuries incurred by their employees that arise out of, or in the course of, employment. Existing law requires an employer to provide all medical services reasonably required to cure or relieve the injured worker from the effects of the injury. Under existing law, if the injured employee cannot effectively communicate with his or her treating physician because he or she cannot proficiently speak or understand the English language, the injured employee is entitled to the services of a qualified interpreter during medical treatment appointments. Existing law requires that, to be a qualified interpreter for these purposes, a person meet any requirements established by rule by the administrative director, as specified. This bill would provide that the requirement that a person meet any requirements established by the administrative director in order to be a qualified interpreter commences on March 1, 2014. This bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.