Examinations and licensure of sign language interpreters, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

a. Sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing. DSPS must license an individual as a sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing if, among other requirements, the individual has received at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent degree; the individual has successfully completed an interpreter training program; and the individual has passed the basic performance examination administered by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) and is certified by BEI or has passed an examination DSPS determines is substantially equivalent to the BEI basic performance examination.

The bill includes alternative paths to licensure as a sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing.

b. Sign language interpreter—advanced hearing. DSPS must license an individual as a sign language interpreter—advanced hearing if, among other requirements, the individual has received at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent degree; the individual has successfully completed an interpreter training program; and the individual has passed the advanced or master performance examination administered by BEI and is certified by BEI, has passed the examination for and holds the national interpreter certification issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), or has passed an exam DSPS determines is substantially equivalent. The bill includes alternative paths to licensure as a sign language interpreter—advanced hearing.

c. Sign language interpreter—intermediate deaf. DSPS must license an individual as a sign language interpreter—intermediate deaf if, among other requirements, the individual holds a high school diploma or its equivalent; the individual successfully completed at least 40 hours of a sign language interpreter training curriculum for deaf interpreters; the individual successfully completed at least 16 hours of sign language interpretation-related training approved by BEI or RID or substantially equivalent training; and the individual provides to DSPS letters of recommendation from at least two individuals who hold a sign language interpreter—advanced deaf license, a certified deaf interpreter certification issued by RID, or an equivalent certification. Taken in the aggregate, the letters of recommendation must verify that the individual has successfully completed at least 25 hours of observing the provision of sign language interpretation services provided to clients.

d. Sign language interpreter—advanced deaf. DSPS must license an individual as a sign language interpreter—advanced deaf if, among other requirements, the individual holds at least an associate degree or satisfies an alternative pathway for education and the individual holds a certified deaf interpreter certification issued by RID or an equivalent certification, as determined by DSPS.

2. Requires DSPS to promulgate rules defining the scope of practice of each of the licenses described above, subject to certain restrictions set forth in the bill.

3. Authorizes DSPS to grant a renewable sign language interpreter license to an individual who, in addition to satisfying other requirements under current law, is certified by BEI.

4. Provides that a restricted sign language interpreter license may be renewed indefinitely. Under current law, the restricted license may be renewed only twice.

The bill makes this change retroactively for an individual holding a valid restricted license on August 31, 2017.

5. Authorizes DSPS to grant a restricted sign language interpreter license to an individual who, in addition to satisfying other requirements under current law, has at least passed the BEI's basic performance examination.

6. Requires DSPS to administer in Wisconsin the BEI's performance examinations.

5. Eliminates the Sign Language Interpreter Council and establishes the Sign Language Interpreters Advisory Committee, which advises DSPS and consults with DSPS concerning investigations related to sign language interpreters.