Idaho House advances sign language interpreter license bill

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho House has backed legislation requiring sign language interpreters to get a professional license from a state board. Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter vetoed a similar proposal in 2015, arguing that the plan would have created a strain on already limited resources. However, Rep. Kelly Packer, a Republican from McCammon, says that unqualified interpreters have caused miscommunications in important situations, like emergency rooms or legal proceedings. Attempting or offering to interpret sign language without a license would be a misdemeanor under the bill. The bill cleared the House on Thursday. It now moves to the Senate for approval.

HB 46 , which cleared the House on a 43-27 vote, would include sign language interpreter licensing under the state’s existing licensing board for audiology and speech-language pathology. Earlier, at an emotional hearing in the House Health & Welfare Committee, dozens of Idahoans shared stories about devastating experiences they’ve had with unqualified sign language interpreters, including experiences in legal and medical settings. Packer said Idaho already has about 150 interpreters who qualify for licensing, but it also has unqualified ones who shouldn’t be providing the service and are causing harm.

In Thursday’s House vote, the 27 “no” votes came from Reps. Barbieri, Boyle, Chaney, Cheatham, Collins, Crane, Dixon, Gestrin, Giddings, Hanks, Harris, Kerby, Kingsley, Loertscher, Luker, Mendive, Monks, Moon, Moyle, Nate, Scott, Shepherd, Stevenson, Thompson, Trujillo, Zito and Zollinger. All other House members voted “yes.”