HF 3592

1st Committee Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/22/2009 12:39pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; requiring the commissioner of health to establish a roster and
develop a registry of health care interpreters; appropriating money; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [144.058] INTERPRETER SERVICES QUALITY INITIATIVE.
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new text begin (a) The commissioner shall establish a statewide roster, registry, and certification
process for interpreters who provide high quality, spoken language health care interpreter
services. The roster, registry, and certification process shall be based on the findings
and recommendations set forth by the Interpreter Services Work Group required under
Laws 2007, chapter 147, article 12, section 13. By January 1, 2009, the commissioner
must do the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) develop a registry of spoken language health care interpreters, including:
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new text begin (i) development of standards for registration that set forth educational requirements,
training requirements, demonstration of language proficiency and interpreting skills,
agreement to abide by a code of ethics, and a criminal background check;
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new text begin (ii) recommendations for appropriate alternate requirements in languages for which
testing and training programs do not exist;
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new text begin (iii) recommendations for appropriate fees; and
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new text begin (iv) recommendations for establishing and maintaining the standards for inclusion
in the registry;
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new text begin (2) establish a roster of all available interpreters to address access concerns,
particularly in rural areas; and
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new text begin (3) develop a certification process based on national testing and certification
processes for spoken language interpreters for a statewide spoken language interpreter
certification program to be implemented by January 1, 2012.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall consult with the Interpreter Stakeholder Group of the
Upper Midwest Translators and Interpreters Association for advice on the standards
required to develop a registry and certification process.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund for fiscal
year 2009 to the commissioner of health to establish a roster and develop a registry of
health care interpreters.
new text end