SB442 Summary

• Creates a special revenue fund to support licensing and regulation of qualified interpreters for individuals who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or oral deaf.

• Establishes the Advisory Board for Interpreters (7 members appointed by the Department of Health Director) to recommend licensing criteria, professional conduct standards, and continuing education requirements.

• Requires interpreters to be licensed by the Department of Health and prohibits unlicensed individuals from holding themselves out as licensed interpreters, with penalties of $100-$500 for individuals and $500-$1,000 for interpreting agencies.

• Specifies acceptable licensing credentials including certification from the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Quality Assurance Screening Test, National Association of the Deaf, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or other qualifying organizations.

• Exempts from licensing requirements: religious service interpreters, nonresident interpreters working less than 20 days per year in Arkansas, emergency interpreters, and student interns under supervision; effective November 1, 2013.