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Another
week has passed and SCS SB 882 still has not been put on the Senate
Calendar.
SCS SB 882 does basically three things that are on the list of
legislative priorities for the Missouri Commission for the Deaf for
2002.
(1) Changes the name of the
Missouri Commission for the Deaf to the Missouri Commission for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing,
(2) Changes the law to allow
the Commission to pay its evaluators for their services to the
Missouri Interpreter Certification System, and
(3) Creates an administrative
fund for the Commission that would allow it to receive gifts,
contributions, grants and bequests as well as contract with public
and private entities for its services.
In
addition, SCS SB 882 would allow RID and NAD certified interpreters
to go to MCD, pay a fee, and receive an MICS certification without
having to take the MICS performance test.
SCS SB 882 was voted out of the Pensions and General Laws Committee
on January 31 with a “Do Pass” recommendation. However, there were a
couple of technical errors made in the language of the bill, and on
February 7 it was reconsidered by the Pensions and General Laws
Committee. At that time, most errors were fixed and it was again
voted out “Do Pass.”
Almost a full month has passed, and the bill still has not been
placed on the Senate calendar for floor debate and a vote. All deaf
and hard of hearing advocates, as well as interpreters and other MCD
supporters, who would like to see this bill passed should call or
send an e-mail to their
Senators and ask for their support of SCS SB 882. In addition, you
should contact the |
