Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §1532, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 399, §17 and affected by §20, is repealed.

SUMMARY

This bill makes the following changes to the laws governing licensure for interpreters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing:

1. It provides that achieving a score of 3.5 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment may be used as an additional method of obtaining licensure as a limited interpreter for the deaf or hard-of-hearing or a limited transliterator;

2. It eliminates the requirement that an interpreter disclose the interpreter's training and experience to a consumer or persons utilizing the services of the interpreter in order to make the disclosure more meaningful to the consumer and less burdensome for the interpreter;

3. It decreases the initial and renewal license fees for applicants who are deaf from $300 to $100;

4. It increases from 15 to 20 the annual number of hours of continuing education that must be completed by persons licensed as limited interpreters, limited transliterators and limited deaf interpreters; and

5. It repeals transitional language relating to qualifications for limited licenses.