Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) regulations state that participating providers must fully inform members that they have the right to not use family, friends or minors as interpreters, and that interpreters are available to them at no cost. Providers may not require members to use family, friends and minors as interpreters.

California Department of Insurance (CDI) regulations discourage the use of family members and friends, and strongly discourage the use of minors, as interpreters for members. In an emergency situation, a minor can only be used as an interpreter if the minor demonstrates the ability to interpret complex medical information and the member is fully informed that an interpreter is available to him or her at no cost. Providers must also fully inform the member that the member has the right not to use family, friends or minors as interpreters.