SB 6832 - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Establishes department of social and health services authority to purchase interpreter services for public assistance recipients.

     Finds that limited-English speaking and sensory-impaired applicants and recipients of public assistance often require interpreter services in order to communicate effectively with employees of the department of social and health services, medical professionals, and other social services personnel.

     Finds that interpreter services can be procured and delivered through a variety of different means.  It is in the public's interest for the department to deliver interpreter services, to the extent funds are available, by the means which it determines most cost-effectively ensure that limited-English speaking and sensory-impaired persons are able to communicate with department employees and service providers.