SB 265

This bill makes all of the following changes to the laws regulating sign language

interpreters:

1. Replaces the current program for renewable sign language interpreter

licenses granted by the Department of Safety and Professional Services with new

categories of sign language interpreter licenses. Under the bill, DSPS grants the

following licenses:

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