| Passed by the Senate February 14, 2006 YEAS 46 BRAD OWEN ________________________________________ President of the Senate Passed by the House March 1, 2006 YEAS 91 FRANK CHOPP ________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives | 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. THOMAS HOEMANN ________________________________________ Secretary | |
| Approved March 15, 2006. CHRISTINE GREGOIRE ________________________________________ Governor of the State of Washington | March 15, 2006 - 2:39 p.m. Secretary of State State of Washington |
| State of Washington | 59th Legislature | 2006 Regular Session |
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.