Amends and adds to existing law to provide for licensure of sign language interpreters.

Relating to sign language interpreting, this legislation creates a licensing system and licensing requirements for sign language interpreters. At least 13% of the general population has a variety of types of hearing loss, which affects 203,785 Idaho citizens. Out of that total, 2.42% of the population with hearing loss (34,486) experience severe to profound hearing loss. They are unable to readily understand speech due to the extent of their hearing loss, but instead rely on a visual mode of communication. These deaf people are at a distinct disadvantage with incomplete, incorrect, and unethically-delivered information, often by the hands of non-qualified interpreters. A professional and qualified interpreter is required to facilitate the communication and information, ensuring that it is fully accessible and understandable by the customers and the service providers. It is a quality control measure to ensure that deaf and hearing consumers receive appropriate interpreting services, which may reduce general threats to the health and safety of deaf people statewide. Licensing professional interpreters also minimize the liability of hiring entities in providing services to deaf consumers. It also ensures equal access to education, employment opportunities, and health care for deaf children and adults. Recognizing that by using sign language interpreters can profoundly affect the lives of people of the state of Idaho, itisthepurposeofthisacttosetstandardsofqualificationforthosewhoengageinthepracticeofsign language interpreting and protect the public from unprofessional conduct in the practice of sign language interpreting.