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AN ACT
RELATING TO LICENSURE; CREATING THE SIGNED LANGUAGE
INTERPRETING PRACTICES ACT; EXPANDING THE EXPENDITURES ALLOWED
IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FUND; MAKING AN
APPROPRIATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--Sections 1 through 17 of this
act may be cited as the "Signed Language Interpreting
Practices Act".
Section 2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Signed Language
Interpreting Practices Act:
A. "board" means the signed language interpreting
practices board;
B. "consumer" means a person using the services of
a signed language interpreter;
C. "deaf, hard-of-hearing or deaf-blind person"
means a person who has either no hearing or who has
significant hearing loss;
D. "department" means the regulation and licensing
department;
E. "interpreter" means a person who practices
interpreting;
F. "interpreter education program" or "interpreter
preparation program" means:
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(1) a post-secondary degree program of at
least two year's duration accredited by the state or similar
accreditation by another state, district or territory; or
(2) a substantially equivalent education
program approved by the board; and
G. "interpreting" means the process of providing
accessible communication between deaf, hard-of-hearing or
deaf-blind persons and hearing persons, including;
(1) communication between signed language
and spoken language; or
(2) other modalities such as visual,
gestural and tactile methods, not to include written
communication.
Section 3. SCOPE OF PRACTICE.--For the purposes of the
Signed Language Practices Act, a person is interpreting if the
person advertises, offers to practice, is employed in a
position described as interpreting or holds out to the public
or represents in any manner that the person is an interpreter
in this state.
Section 4. LICENSE REQUIRED.--Unless licensed pursuant
to the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act, a person
shall not:
A. practice as an interpreter or perform
interpreting services:
(1) for compensation or where compensation
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could be reasonably expected; or
(2) where effective communication is
mandated by state or federal law;
B. use the title of interpreter or make any
representation as being an interpreter, or use any other
title, abbreviation, letters, figures, signs or devices that
indicate the person is licensed to practice interpreting; or
C. advertise or make any representation to the
public or in any manner that the person is licensed to provide
interpreting services.
Section 5. EXEMPTIONS.--The Signed Language
Interpreting Practices Act does not apply to:
A. nonresident interpreters working in New Mexico
less than thirty calendar days per year;
B. interpreting in religious or spiritual
settings;
C. interpreting in informal settings for friends,
families or guests;
D. interpreting in emergency situations where the
deaf, hard-of-hearing or deaf-blind person or that person's
legal representative decides that the delay necessary to
obtain a licensed interpreter is likely to cause injury or
loss to the consumer;
E. the activities or services of a supervised
interpreter intern or student in training who is enrolled in
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an interpreter education program, interpreter preparation
program, or a program of study in signed language interpreting
at an accredited institution of higher learning approved by
the board; or
F. multilingual interpreting in order to
accommodate the personal choice of the consumer.
Section 6. CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION.--
A. A communication is confidential when it is not
intended to be disclosed to third persons other than those
present to further the interest of the person requiring the
interpreting.
B. A licensed signed language interpreter shall
not disclose confidential information obtained in the course
of professional services.
Section 7. BOARD CREATED.--
A. The "signed language interpreting practices
board" is created.
B. The board is administratively attached to the
department with administrative staff provided by the
department.
C. The governor shall appoint the members to serve
on the board.
D. The board shall consist of seven members, at
least two of whom are from each congressional district, as
follows:
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(1) two licensed community interpreters and
two licensed educational interpreters, at least one of whom is
a deaf or hard-of-hearing person;
(2) two deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind
persons who are regular consumers of signed language
interpreting services; and
(3) one person representing the general
public who has never been a licensed signed language
interpreter and has no financial interest in the profession of
signed language interpreting.
E. Members shall serve for staggered terms of
three years each, except that the initial board shall be
appointed so that the terms of three members expire June 30,
2009 and the terms of four members expire June 30, 2010.
F. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the
governor for the unexpired term within ninety days of the
vacancy. Board members shall serve until their successors
have been appointed and qualified.
G. Members shall be paid per diem and mileage as
provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no
other compensation, perquisite or allowance.
H. No member shall serve more than two consecutive
terms. A member failing to attend three meetings, after
proper notice, shall be recommended for removal as a board
member unless excused for reasons set forth in board rules.
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I. The board shall elect a chair and other
officers as it deems necessary to administer its duties.
J. The board shall hold at least two meetings
annually and additional meetings as the board deems necessary.
The additional meetings may be held upon call of the chair or
upon written request of four members. Four members of the
board, including the public member, constitutes a quorum to
conduct business.
Section 8. BOARD POWERS AND DUTIES.--
A. The board shall:
(1) administer and enforce provisions of the
Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act;
(2) promulgate rules setting forth the
qualifications of applicants for licensure and the provisions
for the administration of examinations and the issuance,
renewal, suspension or revocation of licenses;
(3) evaluate the qualifications of
applicants for licensure and issue licenses;
(4) promulgate rules pursuant to the State
Rules Act to effectively carry out and enforce the provisions
of the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act;
(5) submit an annual budget for each fiscal
year to the department;
(6) maintain a record of all proceedings;
and
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(7) provide an annual report to the
governor.
B. The board may refuse, suspend or revoke a
license of an interpreter, conduct investigations, issue
subpoenas and hold hearings as provided in the Uniform
Licensing Act.
Section 9. REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE.--
A. The board shall issue a license as a community
signed language interpreter to a person who:
(1) files a completed application that is
accompanied by the required fees; and
(2) submits satisfactory evidence that the
person:
(a) has reached the age of majority;
(b) is of good moral character;
(c) has completed all educational
requirements established by the board; and
(d) holds certification under a
nationally recognized signed language interpreters
organization or by an equivalent organization as defined by
rule of the board.
B. The board shall issue a license as an
educational signed language interpreter to a person who:
(1) files a completed application that is
accompanied by the required fees; and
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(2) submits satisfactory evidence that the
person:
(a) has reached the age of majority;
(b) is of good moral character;
(c) has completed all educational
requirements established by the board; and
(d) provides evidence of passing a
skill assessment exam as established by rule.
C. The board shall issue a one-time, five-year
provisional license to a person not meeting the community
signed language interpreter or educational signed language
interpreter requirements for licensure as a signed language
interpreter pursuant to the Signed Language Interpreting
Practices Act if the person:
(1) has completed an interpreter education
program or interpreter preparation program; or
(2) is employed as a community signed
language interpreter or an educational signed language
interpreter at the time that act becomes effective.
Section 10. LICENSE RENEWAL.--
A. Notwithstanding Subsection B of Section 8 of
the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act, a licensee may
renew a license every two years by submitting a completed
renewal application provided by the board.
B. The board may require continuing education for
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license renewal as established by rule.
C. If a license is not renewed by the expiration
date, the license shall be considered expired, and the
licensee shall refrain from practicing. The licensee may
renew within a sixty-day grace period, which begins the first
day the license expires, by submitting payment of the renewal
fee and a late fee and complying with all renewal
requirements. Upon renewal of the license, the licensee may
resume practice.
D. The board may issue rules providing for the
inactive status of licenses.
Section 11. FEES.--The board may, by rule, establish a
schedule of fees as follows:
A. an initial nonrefundable biennial licensure fee
not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250);
B. a nonrefundable biennial license renewal fee
not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200);
C. an initial nonrefundable annual provisional
licensure fee not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200); and
D. an annual nonrefundable provisional licensure
renewal fee not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) limited
to five years that the licensee may renew.
Section 12. UNIFORM LICENSING ACT.--The Signed Language
Interpreting Practices Act is enforceable according to the
procedures set forth in the Uniform Licensing Act.
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Section 13. FUND CREATED.--
A. The "signed language interpreting practices
fund" is created in the state treasury.
B. All money received by the board under the
Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act shall be deposited
with the state treasurer for credit to the signed language
interpreting practices fund. The fund consists of fees as
provided in the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act and
money received from the telecommunications access fund. The
state treasurer shall invest the fund as other state funds are
invested. Earnings from investment of the fund shall be
credited to the fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance
remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert.
C. Money in the fund is subject to appropriation
by the legislature to be used only for purposes of carrying
out the provisions of the Signed Language Interpreting
Practices Act.
D. Disbursements from the fund shall be made upon
warrants drawn by the secretary of finance and administration
pursuant to vouchers signed by the superintendent of
regulation and licensing.
Section 14. LICENSE DENIAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION.--
A. In accordance with procedures contained in the
Uniform Licensing Act, the board may deny, revoke or suspend a
license held or applied for under the Signed Language
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Interpreting Practices Act, upon grounds that the licensee or
applicant:
(1) is guilty of fraud or deceit in
procuring or attempting to procure a license;
(2) is guilty of gross incompetence;
(3) is guilty of unprofessional or unethical
conduct as defined by rule of the board;
(4) uses untruthful or misleading
advertising;
(5) is habitually or excessively using
controlled substances or alcohol to such a degree the licensee
or applicant is rendered unfit to practice as a signed
language interpreter pursuant to the Signed Language
Interpreting Practices Act;
(6) has violated the Signed Language
Interpreting Practices Act;
(7) is guilty of aiding and abetting a
person not licensed to practice signed language interpreting
pursuant to the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act; or
(8) as evidenced by a certified copy of the
record of jurisdiction, has had a license, certificate or
registration to practice signed language interpreting revoked,
suspended or denied in any state or territory of the United
States for actions pursuant to this section.
B. Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by a
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complaint of a person, including members of the board, and
shall conform with the provisions of the Uniform Licensing
Act.
C. A person filing a complaint shall be immune
from liability arising out of civil action if the complaint is
filed in good faith and without actual malice.
Section 15. PENALTIES.--A person who violates a
provision of the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act is
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced
pursuant to Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
Section 16. CRIMINAL OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT ACT.--The
provisions of the Criminal Offender Employment Act shall
govern any consideration of criminal records required or
permitted by the Signed Language Interpreting Practices Act.
Section 17. TERMINATION OF AGENCY LIFE--DELAYED
REPEAL.--The signed language interpreting practices board is
terminated on July 1, 2013 pursuant to the Sunset Act. The
board shall continue to operate according to the Signed
Language Interpreting Practices Act until July 1, 2014.
Effective July 1, 2014, the Signed Language Interpreting
Practices Act is repealed.
Section 18. Section 63-9F-12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws
1993, Chapter 54, Section 12, as amended) is amended to read:
"63-9F-12. TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FUND--
ESTABLISHED.--There is created in the state treasury the
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"telecommunications access fund". Money appropriated to the
fund or accruing to it through gifts, grants, fees,
surcharges, penalties or bequests shall be delivered to the
state treasurer for deposit in the fund. The fund shall be
invested as other state funds are invested. Disbursements
from the fund shall be made upon warrants drawn by the
secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers
signed by the executive director of the commission. The
commission shall administer the fund. Money in the fund is
appropriated to the commission for the purpose of carrying out
the provisions of the Telecommunications Access Act. The
commission may request the state budget division of the
department of finance and administration to approve the
expenditure of funds deposited in the telecommunications
access fund for the purpose of defraying salary and other
necessary expenses incurred by the commission in the
administration of the provisions of the Telecommunications
Access Act. The state budget division may approve the
expenditure of not more than ten percent of the amount
deposited in the telecommunications access fund during any
fiscal year for expenses incurred by the commission in
administering that act. In addition, money in the fund is
subject to appropriation by the legislature to the commission
for the performance of its duties pursuant to Chapter 28,
Article 11B NMSA 1978 and to the signed language interpreting
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practices fund for the purpose of defraying salary and other
necessary expenses incurred by the signed language
interpreting practices board. Any unexpended or unencumbered
balance remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year
shall not revert."
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