Bill Text: HI SB962 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 962 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Interpreter Referral Services; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-02-19 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [SB962 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-SB962-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	962
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to interpreter referral services.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that communication between a state, county, or private entity serving applicants, employees, participants, and members of the public who have disabilities be as effective as communication with individuals without disabilities. Providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services is one way to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of a program, service, or activity.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires an entity to provide an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to request auxiliary aids and services of their choice. This expressed choice shall be given primary consideration by the entity and shall be honored unless the entity can demonstrate that another effective means of communication exists or the request is an undue burden. Auxiliary aids and services include qualified interpreters (in-person or remote), captioners and notetakers, computer-aided transcription services, written materials, and other effective methods of making verbally delivered materials available to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind. An interpreter referral service provider is an effective means to procure the services necessary to provide effective communication as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The legislature further finds that the department of human services has provided interpreter referral services for the community for approximately thirty years via a request for proposal. Currently, it is difficult for the department of human services to maximize matching federal funds. The department's vocational rehabilitation program provides interpreter referral services to individuals even if the individuals are not participants of the vocational rehabilitation program.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to provide interpreter referral services for the community, including individuals and agencies that are not participants of the department of human services' vocational rehabilitation program, since supplemental funding is necessary to provide services for individuals who are not participants of the vocational rehabilitation program.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $45,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for an interpreter referral service for entities serving individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, who are not participants of the department of human services' vocational rehabilitation program.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Interpreter Referral Services; Appropriation

Description:

Makes an appropriation to the department of human services for an interpreter referral service for public and private entities serving individuals who are not participants of the department of human services' vocational rehabilitation program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.