2617 AMH JINK VASA 101

HB 2617 - H AMD 744

By Representative Jinkins

ADOPTED 02/17/2014

    On page 2, line 33, after "the state" strike ". When a state-certified" and insert ", or be nationally certified by the certification commission for health care interpreters or the national board for certification of medical interpreters.  When a nationally-certified, state-certified,"

    On page 3, after line 11, insert the following:

    "(8) The department of social and health services, the health care authority, the department of labor and industries, and the department of enterprise services may not impose reimbursement rates or obligations established through collective bargaining under RCW 41.56.510 in contracts with entities that do not provide interpreter services through language access providers as defined in RCW 41.56.030(10)."

    On page 4, line 21, after "ethics," strike "and make recommendations" and insert "the certification standards of other states, and national certification standards, and make recommendations for improving state certifications and authorizations"

EFFECT:  The amendment makes the following changes:

· Authorizes procurement of language access providers who are nationally certified, instead of only authorizing procurement of such providers who are certified or authorized by the state.

· Prohibits the Department of Social and Health Services, the Health Care Authority, the Department of Labor and Industries, and the Department of Enterprise Services from imposing reimbursement rates or obligations established through collective bargaining with language access providers in contracts with entities that do not provide interpreter services through such language access providers.

· Requires the Spoken Language Advisory Group to evaluate national certification standards and certification standards of other states, in addition to state standards, and to make recommendations for improving state certification and authorization of spoken language interpreters.

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