2005 Connecticut Code - Sec. 46a-33a. Registration of persons providing interpreting services.

      Sec. 46a-33a. Registration of persons providing interpreting services. (a) For the purposes of this section:

      (1) "Interpreting" means the translating or transliterating of English concepts to specialized vocabulary used by a person who is deaf or hard of hearing or means the translating of a deaf or hard of hearing person's specialized vocabulary to English concepts. Specialized vocabulary concepts include, but are not limited to, the use of American sign language, English-based sign language, cued speech, oral transliterating and information received tactually;

      (2) "Legal setting" means any criminal or civil action involving the Superior Court or its agents, any investigation conducted by a duly authorized law enforcement agency, employment related hearings and appointments requiring the presence of an attorney;

      (3) "Medical setting" means medical related situations including mental health treatment, psychological evaluations, substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention and appointments or treatment requiring the presence of a doctor or nurse; and

      (4) "Educational setting" means a school or other educational institution, including elementary, high school and post-graduation schools where interpretive services are provided to a student.

      (b) Commencing October 1, 1998, and annually thereafter, all persons providing interpreting services shall register with the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. Such registration shall be on a form prescribed or furnished by the commission and shall include the registrant's name, address, phone number, place of employment as interpreter and interpreter certification or credentials. Commencing July 1, 2001, and annually thereafter, the commission shall issue identification cards for those who register in accordance with this section.

      (c) On and after July 1, 2001, no person shall provide interpreting services unless such person is registered with the commission according to the provisions of this section and (1) has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist test and holds a level three certification provided by the National Association of the Deaf and documents the achievement of two continuing education units per year for a maximum of five years of commission-approved training, (2) has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist test and is a graduate of an accredited interpreter training program and documents the achievement of two continuing education units per year for a maximum of five years of commission-approved training, (3) holds a level four certification or higher from the National Association of the Deaf, (4) holds certification by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (5) for situations requiring an oral interpreter only, holds oral certification from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (6) for situations requiring a cued speech transliterator only, holds certification from the National Training, Evaluation and Certification Unit and has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist test, or (7) holds a reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter under the National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.

      (d) On and after July 1, 2001, no person shall provide interpreting services in a medical setting unless such person is registered with the commission according to the provisions of this section and holds (1) a comprehensive skills certificate from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (2) a certificate of interpretation or a certificate of transliteration from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (3) a level four certification from the National Association of the Deaf, (4) a reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter under the National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, (5) for situations requiring an oral interpreter only, oral certification from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or (6) for situations requiring a cued speech transliterator only, certification from the National Training, Evaluation and Certification Unit and has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist test.

      (e) No person shall provide interpreting services in a legal setting unless such person is registered with the commission according to the provisions of this section and holds (1) a comprehensive skills certificate from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (2) a certificate of interpretation and a certificate of transliteration from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, (3) a level five certification from the National Association of the Deaf, (4) a reverse skills certificate or is a certified deaf interpreter under the National Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, (5) for situations requiring an oral interpreter only, oral certification from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or (6) for situations requiring a cued speech transliterator only, certification from the National Training, Evaluation and Certification Unit and has passed the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf written generalist test.

      (f) The requirements of this section shall apply to persons who receive compensation for the provision of interpreting services and include those who provide interpreting services as part of their job duties.

      (g) The provisions of subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to any person providing interpreting services in an educational setting until July 1, 2003.

      (P.A. 98-252, S. 73, 80; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 24, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131.)

      History: P.A. 98-252 effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdiv. (4) defining "educational setting", amended Subsec. (d)(3) to reduce required certification from level five to level four and added Subsec. (g) re provision of services in an educational setting, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section.