1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; requiring the commissioner of health to establish a roster and 
1.3 	develop a registry of health care interpreters; appropriating money;proposing 
1.4 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. [144.058] INTERPRETER SERVICES QUALITY INITIATIVE.
1.7 	(a) The commissioner shall establish a statewide roster, registry, and certification 
1.8 	process for interpreters who provide high quality, spoken language health care interpreter 
1.9 	services. The roster, registry, and certification process shall be based on the findings 
1.10 	and recommendations set forth by the Interpreter Services Work Group required under 
1.11 	Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 12, section 13. By January 1, 2009, the commissioner 
1.12 	must do the following: 
1.13 	(1) develop a registry of spoken language health care interpreters, including: 
1.14 	(i) development of standards for registration that set forth educational requirements, 
1.15 	training requirements, demonstration of language proficiency and interpreting skills, 
1.16 	agreement to abide by a code of ethics, and a criminal background check;
1.17 	(ii) recommendations for appropriate alternate requirements in languages for which 
1.18 	testing and training programs do not exist; 
1.19 	(iii) recommendations for appropriate fees; and
1.20 	(iv) recommendations for establishing and maintaining the standards for inclusion 
1.21 	in the registry; 
1.22 	(2) establish a roster of all available interpreters to address access concerns, 
1.23 	particularly in rural areas; and
2.1 	(3) develop a certification process based on national testing and certification 
2.2 	processes for spoken language interpreters for a statewide spoken language interpreter 
2.3 	certification program to be implemented by January 1, 2012. 
2.4 	(b) The commissioner shall consult with the Interpreter Stakeholder Group of the 
2.5 	Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association for advice on the standards 
2.6 	required to develop a registry and certification process.

2.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.8 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.9 	$....... is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund for fiscal 
2.10 	year 2009 to the commissioner of health to establish a roster and develop a registry of 
2.11 	health care interpreters.