SB265,7,2 b. The applicant provides evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant has successfully completed an interpreter training program.

SB265,7,8 c. The applicant has passed the advanced or master performance examination of and is certified by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, or its successor; the applicant has passed the examination for and holds the national interpreter certification issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or its successor; or the applicant has passed a substantially equivalent examination, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,7,10 2. The applicant was issued before the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date], and maintains in good standing any of the following:

SB265,7,16 a. The national interpreter certification (NIC), advanced or master level national interpreter certification (NIC-Advanced or NIC-Master), certificate of interpretation (CI), certificate of transliteration (CT), comprehensive skills certificate (CSC), master comprehensive skills certificate (MCSC), interpretation certificate (IC), or transliteration certificate (TC), issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or its successor.

SB265,7,17 b. The National Association of the Deaf III, IV, or V certification.

SB265,7,19 c. The advanced or master certification of the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters or its successor.

SB265,14 Section 14 . 440.032 (3) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB265,7,25 440.032 (3) (e) Sign language interpreter— intermediate deaf licenses. The department shall grant a sign language interpreter—intermediate deaf license to an applicant who submits an application on a form provided by the department, pays the fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a), and satisfies all of the following:

SB265,8,2 1. The applicant holds a high school diploma or its equivalent, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,8,5 2. The applicant submits evidence satisfactory to the department of the applicant's successful completion of at least 40 hours of a deaf interpreter training curriculum approved by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,8,11 3. The applicant submits evidence satisfactory to the department of the applicant's successful completion of at least 16 hours of sign language interpretation services-related training approved for continuing education credits by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or its successor or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters or its successor, or substantially equivalent training, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,8,15 4. The applicant submits evidence satisfactory to the department of the applicant's successful completion of American sign language linguistics I and II or substantially equivalent coursework, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,8,23 5. The applicant provides to the department letters of recommendation satisfactory to the department from at least 2 individuals who hold a sign language interpreter—advanced deaf license, a certified deaf interpreter certification issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or its successor, or an equivalent certification, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee. Taken in the aggregate, the letters of recommendation shall verify that the applicant has successfully completed at least 25 hours of observing sign language interpretation services provided to clients.

SB265,15 Section 15 . 440.032 (3) (f) of the statutes is created to read:

SB265,9,5 440.032 (3) (f) Sign language interpreter—advanced deaf licenses. The department shall grant a sign language interpreter—advanced deaf license to an applicant who submits an application on a form provided by the department, pays the fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a), and satisfies all of the following:

SB265,9,8 1. The applicant holds at least an associate degree or satisfies an alternate pathway for education, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,9,12 2. The applicant holds a certified deaf interpreter certification issued by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or its successor or an equivalent certification, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,16 Section 16 . 440.032 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB265,9,16 440.032 (4m) Scope of licenses. The department, after receiving advice from the committee, shall promulgate rules defining the scope of practice of each license granted under sub. (3), subject to the following:

SB265,9,22 (a) Sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing. 1. Subject to subd. 2., a sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing licensee may not provide sign language interpretation services to clients in any medical setting, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee, unless he or she is team interpreting with a sign language interpreter—advanced hearing or sign language interpreter—advanced deaf licensee.

SB265,9,25 2. A sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing licensee may not provide sign language interpretation services to a client in any legal or mental health setting, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,10,7 (b) Interpretation in legal settings. No sign language interpreter—advanced hearing, sign language interpreter—intermediate deaf, or sign language interpreter—advanced deaf licensee may provide sign language interpretation services to a client in any legal setting, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee, unless he or she is also authorized, including under a provisional status, by the supreme court to act as a qualified interpreter in court proceedings under s. 885.38 (2).

SB265,10,11 (c) Interpretation in mental health settings. 1. No sign language interpreter—intermediate deaf licensee may provide sign language interpretation services to a client in any mental health setting, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.

SB265,10,18 2. Beginning on September 1, 2023, no sign language interpreter—advanced hearing or sign language interpreter—advanced deaf licensee may provide sign language interpretation services to a client in any mental health setting, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee, unless the licensee satisfies requirements established by the department by rule. The rules promulgated under this subdivision shall require a licensee to satisfy all of the following:

SB265,10,20 a. Complete 40 hours of training on providing interpretation services to a client in mental health settings.

SB265,10,23 b. Complete a 40-hour practicum under the supervision of a sign language interpreter approved by the department on providing sign language interpretation services to a client in mental health settings.

SB265,10,24 c. Pass a written examination determined by the department.

SB265,11,2 d. Be able to accurately interpret specialized vocabulary used in psychiatric settings.

SB265,11,4 e. Be aware of psychopathologies, including knowledge of the names of major mental illnesses.