A bill to amend title 28 of the United States Code to provide that certain judicial pleadings and proceedings in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may be conducted in the Spanish language, and for other purposes.

(Measure passed House, amended)

Amends the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act to require that initial pleadings in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico be filed in either the Spanish or English language. Requires further pleadings and proceedings to be in English, unless: (1) the defendant in a criminal case requests that they be in Spanish; (2) all parties in a civil case agree that they be in Spanish; or (3) the court orders such pleadings and proceedings to be in Spanish.

Authorizes the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico to apply to the Judicial Council of the First Circuit for a waiver of the requirements that subsequent proceedings in criminal and civil cases be in Spanish at the request or agreement of the parties, if such Chief Judge determines that a substantial number of filings arising from the same or related occurrence or the existence of a large multidefendant case would render the District Court unable to try expeditiously such cases.

Requires court decisions to be in the language used in the trial or proceeding. Allows the court to order the translation of any court decision. Requires appellate documents to be in English, unless the appellate court directs otherwise. Directs the District Court to pay translation costs.

Grants rule-making authority to the District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Prohibits the disqualification of persons on a Federal grand or petit jury in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico solely because of a person's inability to speak, read, write, and understand English if such person is able to speak, read, write, and understand the language in which the proceeding for which the juror is called is to be conducted. Allows the Government attorney to determine whether a grand jury is to be conducted in English or Spanish.

Makes the provisions of this Act effective one year and 180 days after enactment, and terminates such provisions 12 years after enactment.

Directs the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to report periodically to Congress on the implementation of this Act. Requires such Office, together with the District Court for Puerto Rico, to report triennially to Congress on the implementation of this Act, during the period in which Spanish may be used in the Court as provided by this Act.