Whenever the court has reason to believe that an individual required to be served with a summons, subpoena, notice of hearing or court conference, or other document that requires a decision, action, or response by the individual, by reason of unfamiliarity with the English language, may be unable to read and understand the document, the court shall issue the document in English and (1) if the document is available in a language that the court reasonably believes the individual can understand, issue the document in that language, or (2) if the document is not available in a language the court reasonably believes the individual can understand, attach a Multilingual Advisement Form approved by the State Court Administrator.

Committee note: The Access to Justice Department of the Administrative Office of the Courts provides translation services to the Maryland courts and can provide translations of certain forms and materials into priority languages. The Access to Justice Department does not provide translation of case-specific documents. See Code, State Government Article, § 10-1103 requiring certain State agencies, departments, and programs in the Executive Branch of government, including the Department of Human Services, Department of Juvenile Services, and Attorney General's Office, to provide “the translation of vital documents ordinarily provided to the public into any language spoken by any limited English proficient population that constitutes 3% of the overall population within the geographic area served by a local office of a State program as measured by the United States Census.”

Source: This Rule is new.