Report Title:

Disability and Communication Access Board

 

Description:

Provides the DCAB with the authority to assess fees for the cost of certifying and providing continued education and training in certifying sign language interpreters. Creates a special fund to cover the costs to certify sign language interpreters. Appropriates moneys to the special fund for startup purposes.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

295

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the disability and communication access board.

 

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

SECTION 1. The disability and communication access board (DCAB) has established a program to test and certify sign language interpreters in the State who do not possess national certification. Although the startup costs for certifying sign language interpreters were underwritten by DCAB, there is still a need for ongoing financial support.

The legislature finds that the cost for certifying sign language interpreters can be offset by charging the applicants a fee for the certification test and screening process.

The purpose of this Act is to:

    1. Provide DCAB with the authority to assess fees for the cost of certifying sign language interpreters and providing continued education and training;
    2. Create a special fund to cover the costs to certify sign language interpreters in the State; and
    3. Appropriate moneys to the special fund for startup purposes.

SECTION 2. Chapter 348F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§348F-A Fees; disposition. (a) The board may establish fees to be deposited into the disability and communication access board special fund to certify sign language interpreters and to provide education and training with regard to the sign language interpreter certification program, in accordance with chapter 91.

(b) Fees assessed under this section shall be used to defray costs incurred by the board to administer the sign language interpreter certification program.

§348F-B Disability and communication access board special fund. (a) There is established in the state treasury a special fund to be known as the disability and communication access board special fund, which shall be administered by the board. The special fund shall consist of:

    1. Fees collected under section 348F-A;
    2. Any appropriations made by the legislature to the special fund;
    3. Grants from public agencies and private persons; and
    4. Interest accrued from moneys deposited in the special fund.

(b) Special fund moneys may be expended for costs associated with administering the sign language interpreter certification program."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 to be deposited into the disability and communication access board special fund for the sign language interpreter certification program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the disability and communication access board for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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