| It has now been
confirmed that the Senate Committee Substitute for HS HSC HB 1195
includes new language that is even worse than the earlier language.
In particular, the bill would still create a "provisional public
school certificate," but in addition it now would exempt all
educational interpreters from the licensing requirements for the
next two years (section 209.321.8). Furthermore, it has added a
new "life and death" threat to people who are deaf. In
particular, it includes a section (209.321.9) that exempts all
interpreters who are providing interpreting services in a hospital
from the licensing law for the next two years (until August,
2006). This means that for the next two years public schools and
hospitals could hire interpreters at any level of certification, as
well as uncertified interpreters, to provide interpreting services.
Needless to say, MCDHH is strongly
opposed to these new sections of SCS HS HCS HB 1195 as they
potentially may harm deaf students in Missouri public schools and
may endanger the lives of deaf Missourians in hospital settings.
That bill is not yet on the Senate
calendar, but that can happen very fast. At some time in the next
couple of days SCS HS HCS HB 1195 will likely be voted on by the
entire Senate. MCDHH would urge all advocates who would like to see
changes in this bill to immediately contact their senators and let
them know that you are "strongly opposed to the sections of SCS HS HCS HB 1195 that would
create a 'provisional public school certificate,' and would exempt
educational interpreters and interpreters in hospitals from the
licensing law."
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