HB 3402 Summary

• Amends 70 O.S. 2011, Section 13-115.3 regarding the Oklahoma Educational Interpreter for the Deaf Act to modify qualification requirements for educational interpreters in public schools.

• Reduces the temporary employment period for interpreters with QAST Level I or II certification from 3 years to 1 year before they must meet higher proficiency standards (RID certification, NAD Level IV, or QAST Level III).

• Requires that beginning July 1, 2015, any person employed as a teacher's assistant or paraprofessional functioning as an educational interpreter must meet proficiency requirements or have attained QAST Level I or comparable proficiency.

• Maintains existing qualification pathways: completion of interpreter training program, bachelor's degree, or 3+ years of experience in deaf education-related field.

• Effective July 1, 2014, with emergency declaration for immediate implementation.