HB 1125 Summary

• Creates Part XVII of Chapter 468, F.S., establishing licensure requirements for professional interpreters serving deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals in Florida

• Establishes Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind (11 members) within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation with authority to adopt rules and regulate the profession

• Requires all professional interpreters to obtain active licenses; establishes fees including initial application fee not to exceed $100, initial license fee not to exceed $200, and renewal fee not to exceed $200

• Mandates 40 hours of continuing education every 2 years for license renewal and allows licensees to elect active or inactive status; prohibits public funds from employing unlicensed interpreters and prohibits interpreter agencies from employing or subcontracting unlicensed interpreters

• Makes it a first-degree misdemeanor for unlicensed individuals to falsely represent themselves as licensed interpreters, and a third-degree felony if convicted again; effective July 1, 2014