2020 Hawaii Revised Statutes
Title 19. Health
321C. Office of Language Access
321C-7 Language access advisory council.

§321C-7 Language access advisory council. (a) There is established the language access advisory council, which shall be placed within the department of health for administrative purposes only. The council shall consist of the following members to be appointed by the governor:

(1) One representative from the state government;

(2) One representative from a covered entity;

(3) One bilingual worker who is or has been employed by a state-funded immigrant service agency or program;

(4) One representative of an advocacy organization that provides services to limited English proficient persons;

(5) One member from the limited English proficient population who has an interest in the provision of oral language services;

(6) One representative from an accredited institution of higher learning who provides professional training in interpretation and translation;

(7) One representative of a Hawaiian language advocacy organization;

(8) One representative of a professional interpreter's organization;

(9) One representative of a bilingual referral service or program;

(10) One representative residing in the county of Hawaii who has shown interest in language access;

(11) One representative residing in the county of Kauai who has shown interest in language access;

(12) One representative residing in the county of Maui who has shown interest in language access;

(13) One representative residing in the city and county of Honolulu who has shown interest in language access;

(14) One member-at-large;

(15) The executive director of the Hawaii civil rights commission or authorized representative, as an ex officio member;

(16) One representative from the disability and communication access board, as an ex officio member; and

(17) The executive director, as an ex officio member.

(b) Members shall be appointed in accordance with section 26-34. The terms of the members shall be for four years. The council shall select one of its members to serve as chair. No member of the council shall receive any compensation for council services, but shall be allowed necessary expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the performance of council duties.

(c) The language access advisory council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the executive director, providing input on:

(1) Implementation and compliance with this chapter;

(2) The quality of oral and written language services provided under this chapter; and

(3) The adequacy of a state agency or covered entity's dissemination and training of its employees likely to have contact with limited English proficient persons, its policies and procedures for language services, its competency in working effectively with in-person and telephone interpreters, and its understanding of the dynamics of interpretation between clients, providers, and interpreters. [L 2012, c 201, pt of §2]