SF 795

1st Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of
commerce to study provision of language interpreter
services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SERVICES STUDY.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of commerce, in consultation with the
commissioners of health, human services, and employee relations,
and representatives of health plan companies, health care
providers, and limited-English-speaking communities, shall study
and make recommendations on providing language interpreter
services to limited-English-speaking patients in order to
facilitate the provision of health care services by health care
providers and health care facilities. The recommendations shall
include:
new text end

new text begin (1) ways to achieve the needed availability of professional
interpreter services and an accreditation system for language
interpreters, which includes appropriate standards for
education, training, and credentialing; and
new text end

new text begin (2) criteria for determining financial responsibility for
providing interpreter services to enrollees of health plans,
including the responsible party for arranging interpreter
services and for reimbursement for these services.
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of commerce shall submit these
recommendations to the legislature by January 15, 2006.
new text end