SB 6245-S2 - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Centralizes and consolidates the procurement of spoken language interpreter services and expands the use of language access providers.

Authorizes the department of social and health services, the department of children, youth, and families, and the state health care authority to purchase interpreter services on behalf of limited English-speaking applicants and recipients of public assistance.

Authorizes the department of labor and industries to purchase interpreter services for medical and vocational providers authorized to provide services to limited English-speaking injured workers or crime victims.

Requires the department of social and health services, the department of children, youth, and families, the state health care authority, and the department of labor and industries, no later than September 1, 2020, to purchase in-person spoken language interpreter services directly from language access providers, and/or through limited contracts with scheduling and coordinating delivery organizations.

Requires the department of enterprise services, upon the expiration of a contract in effect on the effective date of this section, but no later than September 1, 2020, to develop and implement a model that all state agencies must use to procure spoken language interpreter services by purchasing directly from language access providers and/or through contracts with scheduling and coordinating entities.