H-4518.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 3071
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Representatives Dunn and Bush
Read first time 01/28/98. Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.
AN ACT Relating to sign language interpreters and establishing minimum standards of qualifications; and adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is appropriate for individuals who are sign language interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing within the state of Washington, and who normally charge a fee for their services, to be qualified. Since in the normal interpreting situation, between a deaf and hearing individual, the deaf cannot hear the spoken word and the hearing cannot read the signed word, neither is capable of judging the effectiveness or quality of the interpretation. Therefore, it is appropriate to ensure that interpreters have achieved a minimum level of competency.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A sign language interpreter who has current certification from the national association of the deaf or the registry of interpreters of the deaf is deemed to have demonstrated a minimum level of competency.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A sign language interpreter hired as an educational interpreter within the public school system (K-12) effective July 1, 2000, shall be certified, and within one year from their date of hire shall have completed thirty hours of orientation and training offered through the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A sign language interpreter employed as an educational interpreter within the public school system (K-12) prior to July 1, 2000, has until July 2002 to receive certification.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The office of the superintendent of public instruction may request from the office of deaf and hard of hearing services, within the department of social and health services, a two-year nonrenewable waiver to a sign language interpreter hired to provide educational interpreting when a school district has demonstrated through reasonable effort that a certified interpreter is unavailable.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A sign language interpreter employed as an educational interpreter within postsecondary education, community college, or technical training programs shall be certified effective July 1, 2000. Certification may be received from either the national association of the deaf or the registry of interpreters of the deaf.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sign language interpreters employed publicly or privately and receiving remuneration for services rendered shall be certified effective July 1, 2000. Certification may be obtained from either the registry of interpreters of the deaf or the national association of the deaf.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The office of deaf and hard of hearing services, within the department of social and health services, shall develop policies and procedures and an effective grievance procedure to regulate certified sign language interpreters.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 8 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.
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