2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 5 - Businesses and Professions
CHAPTER 5-71 - Interpreters for the Deaf
§ 5-71-4 - Board of examiners – Creation – Compensation – Appointment, terms and qualifications of members.

SECTION 5-71-4

   § 5-71-4  Board of examiners – Creation – Compensation – Appointment, terms and qualifications of members. – (a) There shall exist within the state department of health a board of examiners of interpreters for the deaf. The board shall consist of nine (9) persons who shall be residents of the state of Rhode Island for at least two (2) years prior to their appointments: two (2) nationally certified interpreters, one screened interpreter, one interpreter eligible under § 5-71-12, three (3) consumers, one special license holder and one consumer of specialized communication modalities as defined in § 5-71-3. The certified members shall hold certification from the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and hold an active and valid license in this state, except for the first appointed members who shall be persons engaged in rendering interpreting services for a period of at least five (5) years, and are qualified for license under the provisions of this chapter. The screened member shall hold valid screening from a recognized state-screening, and shall hold an active and valid license in this state, except for the first appointed member who shall be a person who has been engaged in rendering interpreting services for a period of at least five (5) years, and is qualified for license under the provisions of this chapter. The special licensed member shall have expertise in one of the communication modalities defined in § 5-71-3(7), or another specialized communication modality.

   (b) All appointments made under this section after the effective date of this act [March 29, 2006] shall be made by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. All members shall serve terms of three (3) years. Members shall serve until the expiration of the term for which they have been appointed or until their successor is appointed. No person shall be appointed to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. When a vacancy upon the board occurs, a replacement shall be appointed for the remainder of that term as prescribed in this section.

   (c) The board shall reorganize annually during the month of December and shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson for the subsequent calendar year. The board may elect from among its members such other officers as it deems necessary.

   (d) Five (5) members of the board shall constitute a quorum to do business. A majority vote of those present shall be required for action.

   (e) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the provisions of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.