MA S320

Establishes a three-tier system for school interpreters: Tier 1 (no formal assessment required) for spontaneous meetings, Tier 2 (basic educational terminology) for standard meetings like parent conferences, and Tier 3 (specialized terminology) required for IEP meetings, disciplinary hearings, 504 plans, and other legally significant discussions

Directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop training, assessment, and qualification standards for interpreters serving limited English proficient (LEP) parents in school settings

Requires the department to create educational courses with coursework and field experience for all three interpreter tiers, plus a public database to identify Tier 3 interpreters for specialized meetings

Allows grandfathering for current school employees who have served as interpreters for one or more years

Implementation will be phased across diverse school districts subject to appropriation, with full statewide implementation contingent on certification by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education