Laws & Policies
Federal Civil Rights Law
Oregon's health care interpreter law is based on
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI says that no one may be left out of any program or activity that gets federal funding because of their national origin.
Visit the Office for Civil Rights for more information on how to be sure that access is provided to people who can not speak English well.
Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 413.550
ORS 413.550 requires the State of Oregon to establish a program to certify health care interpreters who serve persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) in medical settings. The intent is to assure that persons with LEP get health care services that are based on accurate and complete information. Within the context of this law, health care is defined as "medical, surgical or hospital care recognized by state law, including mental health care."
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 950-050
OAR 950-050 is the set of administrative rules establishing the standards for the implementation of ORS 413.550.
950-050-0000 Purpose
950-050-0010 Definitions
950-050-0020 Health Care Interpreter Services
950-050-0030 Central Registry
950-050-0040 Eligibility Standards for Central Registry Enrollment, Qualification and Certification
950-050-0050 Application Procedure
950-050-0060 Formal Training
950-050-0070 Approval of Testing Centers, Skill Evaluation and Assessment
950-050-0080 Skill Evaluation or Assessment Appeal
950-050-0090 Continuing Education
950-050-0100 Letter of Qualification
950-050-0110 Letter of Certification
950-050-0120 Certification and Qualification Renewal
950-050-0130 Denial, Revocation, Suspension or Refusal to Renew Status for Certification and Qualification
950-050-0140 Complaints
950-050-0150 Hearings
950-050-0160 Health Care Provider Requirements
950-050-0170 Interpreting Service Companies
950-050-0180 Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs)
Good Faith Effort Guidance Document
This document is intended to provide additional guidance on demonstrating Good Faith Effort for working with HCIs from the central registry.
Department of Justice
Analysis on Limited English Proficiency Translation and Interpretation Requirements
Do you have a Civil Rights Complaint or concern regarding HCI services?
Coordinated Care Organizations and Health Care Interpreters
SB 1580 is the legislation which establishes Oregon's Coordinated Care Organizations. Administrative rule 410-141-3590 established the standards for CCOs related to cultural and linguistically accessible care and the use of qualified or certified health care interpreters.
Find out more about
Coordinated Care Organizations in Oregon.