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The Board of Sign Language Interpreters Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting scheduled for May 8, 2024, has been cancelled. The next RAC is scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Please check back for future meeting notices on our HLO Public Meetings webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HLO/Pages/Public-Meetings.aspx. Agendas are subject to change.
The Board of Sign Language Interpreters has a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 10 a.m. Information on how the public may attend the meeting is listed in the notice. The notice and the agenda can be found at: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HLO/Pages/Public-Meetings.aspx. The agenda is subject to change.
BOARD OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS - HB 2696 (2023)
During the 2023 Legislature Session, House Bill 2696 (2023) was enacted, establishing the Board of Sign Language Interpreters (Board) under the Health Licensing Office (HLO). The bill requires all individuals who perform “sign language interpretation services" to be licensed on January 1, 2024, and requires the Board to determine the minimum qualifications for each license. According to the bill, the Board is unable to begin meeting until after January 1, 2024, and therefore is unable to set those requirements and adopt rules.
LIMITED WAIVER ON ENFORCEMENT
Since the Board is not permitted to meet until January 1, 2024, the same-day HB 2696 (2023) requires sign language interpreters to be licensed to practice in Oregon, HLO is exercising its discretion and will not impose discipline for practicing without a license on any sign language interpreters who obtain a license before June 8, 2024.
The limited waiver on enforcement begins on January 1, 2024, and ends on June 8, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. The limited waiver of enforcement is narrow; the waiver only applies to the singular issue of providing sign language interpretation services in Oregon without a license. The Office may impose discipline for any other violation of the HLO or Board rules or statutes.
BOARD OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS - HB 2696 (2023)
During the 2023 Legislature Session, House Bill 2696 (2023) was enacted, establishing the Board of Sign Language Interpreters (Board) under the Health Licensing Office (HLO). The bill requires all individuals who perform “sign language interpretation services" to be licensed on January 1, 2024, and requires the Board to determine the minimum qualifications for each license. According to the bill, the Board is unable to begin meeting until after January 1, 2024, and therefore is unable to set those requirements and adopt rules. To bridge the gap between January 1, 2024, and when the Board establishes minimum licensure requirements, the HLO will issue temporary licenses.
Mark your calendar and note that the Health Licensing Office (and all State of Oregon agencies) will be closed on the following days:
Wednesday, June 19, for Juneteenth Day
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