(a) (1) If a party, a witness, or a victim or victim’s representative, as defined in § 11–104(a) of the Criminal Procedure Article, is deaf or cannot readily understand or communicate the spoken English language, any party or a victim or victim’s representative may apply to the court for the appointment of a qualified interpreter to assist that person.
(2) On receiving the application under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court shall appoint a qualified interpreter to assist that person.
(3) The court shall maintain a directory of interpreters for manual communication or oral interpretation to assist deaf persons or persons who cannot readily understand or communicate the spoken English language.
(b) Any interpreter appointed pursuant to this section shall be allowed compensation the court deems reasonable. It is discretionary with the court, in accordance with the provisions of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, to tax, as part of the costs of the case, amounts paid to an interpreter for services and expenses. Otherwise the amount shall be paid by the county where the proceedings were initiated.