HLO News Details

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.

TEMPORARY LICENSES

To bridge the gap between January 1, 2024, and when the Board establishes minimum licensure requirements, the HLO will issue temporary licenses. On December 13, 2023, HLO filed temporary rules with the Secretary of State that specified the qualifications for each temporary license. Temporary rule filing information can be located on the Board website.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Temporary licenses may not be renewed. The plan is to have the Board licenses available prior to the end date of the temporary licenses.
• Temporary licenses become invalid on June 8, 2024, or when HLO grants or denies the temporary license holder a Board license, whichever comes first.
• Holding a temporary license issued under the HLO rules does not guarantee that the temporary license holder will be granted a license under the Board's rules.
• Temporary licenses will be issued at no cost.
• Temporary license holders will need to apply, qualify, and pay application and license fees for each Board license sought. Temporary license holders should do so once Board rules are in place and before June 8, 2024. Application requirements for the Board's licenses may be different, including providing proof of certain credentialing or examination scores.
• The issuance or the licensee's holding of a temporary license does not supersede, replace, or negate the need for the licensee to comply with other laws requiring licensure or registration or competent sign language interpreter services. 

TEMPORARY LICENSURE

To obtain a temporary license, individuals must complete an application, submit two forms of identification, and attest to having met the qualifications for the applicable temporary license:

• Supervisory sign language interpreter
• Generalist sign language interpreter
• Provisional sign language interpreter
• Educational sign language interpreter
• Medical sign language interpreter
• Legal sign language interpreter

Please contact Carrie Edwards at least 48 hours before a meeting for accommodations (contact information is listed below). HLO intends on having at least two sign language interpreters available and CART captioning.

HOW TO GET THE LASTEST INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD

To receive emails related to the Sign Language Interpreter Board, including Board meeting notices and agendas, rulemaking, and other policy decisions, visit:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHA/signup/38181, and follow these steps:

• Enter your contact information.
• Consent to the data privacy policy and click on “Next."
• Select “Board of Sign Language Interpreters," click on “Next," and you are finished.