CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

ENGROSSED SENATE BILL 6606



59th Legislature
2006 Regular Session

Passed by the Senate February 14, 2006
  YEAS 46   NAYS 0


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President of the Senate
Passed by the House March 1, 2006
  YEAS 91   NAYS 0


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Speaker of the House of Representatives


CERTIFICATE

I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SENATE BILL 6606 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.


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Secretary
Approved 









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Governor of the State of Washington
FILED







Secretary of State
State of Washington


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ENGROSSED SENATE BILL 6606
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Passed Legislature - 2006 Regular Session
State of Washington59th Legislature2006 Regular Session

By Senators Fraser, Oke, Fairley, Deccio, Berkey, McAuliffe, Keiser, Kline, Regala, Honeyford, Thibaudeau, Mulliken, Pridemore, Rockefeller, Delvin, Rasmussen and Kohl-Welles

Read first time 01/16/2006.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.



     AN ACT Relating to standards for educational interpreters for students who are deaf or hard of hearing; adding a new section to chapter 28A.155 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that there are no current standards for educational interpreters for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Establishing standards will improve the quality of educational interpreters in our schools.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) To the extent funds are appropriated, by January 15, 2007, the superintendent of public instruction must develop standards for educational interpreters of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The standards must be focused on the specific skills and knowledge necessary to serve the communication needs of these students. By January 15, 2007, the superintendent must report to the education committees of the legislature and also recommend an implementation schedule for the standards. The superintendent of public instruction must obtain formal legislative approval through legislation before the implementation of any standards for educational interpreters.
     (2) When developing the standards, the superintendent of public instruction must convene and consult with an advisory committee including, but not limited to, representatives of: (a) Nationally certificated educational interpreters; (b) tactile interpreters; (c) interpreter educators; (d) district program coordinators of deaf programs; (e) leaders in the deaf community; and (f) parents of deaf children and of deaf-blind children.

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