1998 Minnesota Statutes

     256C.25 Interpreter services. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment.  The deaf and 
 hard-of-hearing services division shall maintain and coordinate 
 statewide interpreter referral services for use by any public or 
 private agency or individual in the state.  Within the 
 seven-county metro area, the division shall contract for these 
 services; outside the metro area, the division shall directly 
 coordinate these services but may contract with an appropriate 
 agency to provide this service.  The division may collect a $3 
 fee per referral for interpreter referral services and the 
 actual costs of interpreter services provided by department 
 staff.  Fees and payments collected shall be deposited in the 
 general fund.  The $3 referral fee shall not be collected from 
 state agencies or local units of government or deaf or 
 hard-of-hearing consumers or interpreters. 

    Subd. 2.    Duties.  Interpreter referral services must 
 include:  

    (a) statewide access to interpreter referral services, 
 coordinated with the regional service centers; 

    (b) maintenance of a statewide directory of qualified 
 interpreters; 

    (c) assessment of the present and projected supply and 
 demand for interpreter services statewide; and 

    (d) coordination with the regional service centers on 
 projects to train interpreters and advocate for and evaluate 
 interpreter services. 

    HIST: 1980 c 574 s 5; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 25; 1987 c 302 s 
 3,4; 1991 c 292 art 3 s 9; 1993 c 306 s 13; 1996 c 392 s 4