Public Act No. 19-170 - Interpreter Standards Summary

• Requires all persons providing interpreting services to register annually with the Department of Rehabilitation Services and hold recognized national or state interpreter credentials.

• Establishes higher qualification standards for interpreters in medical and legal settings, requiring specific certifications such as comprehensive skills certificates or level four or higher National Association of the Deaf certification.

• Prohibits unregistered individuals from engaging in interpreting practice, using the title "interpreter" or "transliterator," or representing themselves as qualified interpreters in Connecticut.

• Exempts certain individuals from registration requirements, including family members and friends providing voluntary services, religious service interpreters, emergency interpreters, student interns accompanied by registered interpreters, and out-of-state certified interpreters providing services for no more than fourteen days per calendar year.

• Allows deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing persons to request a different registered interpreter and permits violations to be reported to the state's protection and advocacy system for persons with disabilities.