2023 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations › Chapter 440 - Department of safety and professional services. › 440.032 - Sign language interpreting.

440.032
Sign language interpreting.
(1)
Definitions. In this section:
(a)
“Client" means a deaf or hard of hearing person for whom a person provides interpretation services.
(am)
“Committee” means the sign language interpreters advisory committee established under sub. (6m).
(bm)
“Interpreter training program” means any postsecondary educational program that prepares individuals to provide sign language interpretation services to a client.
(c)
“Support service provider" means an individual who is trained to act as a link between a person who is deaf and blind and the person's environment.
(2)
License required.
(a)
Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), no person may, for compensation, provide sign language interpretation services for a client unless the person is licensed by the department under sub. (3).
(b)
No license is required under this subsection for any of the following:
2.
A person interpreting at any school or school-sponsored event if the person is licensed by the department of public instruction as an educational interpreter.
3.
A person interpreting at a religious service or at a religious function, including educational or social events sponsored by a religious organization. This subdivision does not apply to a person interpreting for a religious organization at a professional service provided or sponsored by the religious organization.
4.
A support service provider interpreting for the purpose of facilitating communication between an individual who provides interpretation services and a client of the individual.
5.
A person who, in the course of the person's employment, provides interpretation services during an emergency unless the interpretation services are provided during a period that exceeds 24 hours.
(c)
1.
The department may grant, on a case-by-case basis, a temporary exemption from the licensure requirement under par. (a) to an individual applying for a temporary exemption, subject to the following:
a.
An individual's application for a temporary exemption under this subdivision shall be in writing, shall describe the reasons why the individual cannot obtain a license under sub. (3) and describe any professional credential the individual does possess, and shall specify the dates the individual intends to provide sign language interpretation services.
b.
The department shall approve or deny a temporary exemption under this subdivision within 10 business days after receiving the application.
2.
The department may grant, on a case-by-case basis after receiving advice from the committee, a permanent exemption from the licensure requirement under par. (a) to an individual applying for a permanent exemption, subject to the following:
a.
An individual's application for a permanent exemption under this subdivision shall describe the reasons why the individual cannot obtain a license under sub. (3).
b.
If the applicant for a permanent exemption will be providing sign language interpretations services to a single client only, the individual's application shall identify that client.
(3)
Licensure requirements.
(c)
Sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing licenses. The department shall grant a sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing 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 any of the following:
1.
The applicant satisfies all of the following:
a.
The applicant has received at least an associate degree in sign language interpretation, or an equivalent degree, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
b.
The applicant provides evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant has successfully completed an interpreter training program.
c.
The applicant has passed the basic performance examination of and is certified by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, or its successor, or the applicant has passed a substantially equivalent examination, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
2.
The applicant satisfies all of the following:
a.
The applicant earned an associate degree in sign language interpretation before July 19, 2019.
b.
The applicant has passed the basic performance examination of and is certified by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, or its successor, or the applicant has passed a substantially equivalent examination, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
3.
The applicant satisfies all of the following:
a.
Before July 19, 2019, the applicant passed the basic performance examination of and is certified by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, or its successor, or before July 19, 2019, the applicant passed a substantially equivalent examination, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
b.
The department approves the applicant's licensure after review of all of the circumstances and receiving advice from the committee.
(d)
Sign language interpreter— advanced hearing licenses. The department shall grant a sign language interpreter—advanced hearing 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 any of the following:
1.
The applicant satisfies all of the following:
a.
The applicant has received at least an associate degree in sign language interpretation, or an equivalent degree as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
b.
The applicant provides evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant has successfully completed an interpreter training program.
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.
2.
The applicant was issued before July 19, 2019, and maintains in good standing any of the following:
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.
b.
The National Association of the Deaf III, IV, or V certification.
c.
The advanced or master certification of the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters or its successor.
(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:
1.
The applicant holds a high school diploma or its equivalent, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
(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:
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.
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.
(3m)
Exam administration in Wisconsin. The department of health services shall administer in this state the performance examinations of the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters or its successor, unless the department of safety and professional services approves another administrator of the examinations.
(4)
Notification required. A person who is licensed under sub. (3) shall notify the department in writing within 30 days if the person's certification or membership specified in sub. (3) that is required for the license is revoked or invalidated. The department shall revoke a license granted under sub. (3) if such a certification or membership is revoked or invalidated.
(4m)
Scope of licenses. The department, after receiving advice from the committee, may promulgate rules defining the scope of practice of each license granted under sub. (3), subject to the following:
(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.
2.
A sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing licensee may not provide sign language interpretation services to a client in any legal setting or setting related to treatment, as defined in s. 51.01 (17), involving mental health, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
(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).
(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 setting related to treatment, as defined in s. 51.01 (17), involving mental health, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
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 setting related to treatment, as defined in s. 51.01 (17), involving mental health, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee, unless the licensee satisfies requirements established by the department by rule after receiving advice from the committee.
(5)
License renewal. The renewal dates for licenses granted under sub. (3) are specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) 68c. Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and evidence satisfactory to the department that the person's certification or membership specified in sub. (3) that is required for the license has not been revoked or invalidated.
(5m)
Identification cards. The department, after receiving advice from the committee, may promulgate rules requiring all interpreters licensed under sub. (3) to have an identification card with them at all times while providing sign language interpretation services to clients for compensation. The department shall issue the identification card in the format determined by the department. The identification card issued to a licensee for purposes of this subsection shall satisfy all of the following conditions:
(a)
Include all of the following:
1.
The interpreter's full name.
2.
The interpreter's licensure category, whether sign language interpreter—intermediate hearing, sign language interpreter—advanced hearing, sign language interpreter—intermediate deaf, or sign language interpreter—advanced deaf.
3.
Any applicable licensure restriction.
4.
A statement whether the interpreter is authorized by the supreme court to act as a qualified interpreter in court proceedings under s. 885.38 (2) and whether that authorization is provisional.
5.
Any other information required by the department.
(b)
Be color-coded based on the interpreter's licensure category identified under par. (a) 2. An intermediate license shall be yellow. An advanced license shall be green.
(6m)
Sign language interpreters advisory committee.
(a)
The secretary shall appoint an advisory committee under s. 440.042 that shall be called the sign language interpreters advisory committee. The committee shall consist of the secretary or a designee and the following 8 members:
1.
Five deaf or hard of hearing individuals who are or have been clients of a sign language interpreter, at least one of whom is a graduate of a residential school for the deaf or hard of hearing and at least one of whom is a graduate of a private or public school that is not a residential school for the deaf or hard of hearing.
2.
Two interpreters licensed under this section, at least one of whom holds a license under sub. (3) (c) to (f).
3.
One individual who is not deaf or hard of hearing and who has obtained, or represents an entity that has obtained, sign language interpreter services for the benefit of another who is deaf or hard of hearing.
(b)
The committee shall do all of the following:
1.
Advise the department on all of the following:
a.
Matters related to the department's enforcement of this section.
b.
Granting exemptions under sub. (2) (c).
c.
Licensure requirements under sub. (3).
d.
Promulgating the rules defining the scope of practice under sub. (4m).
e.
Promulgating the rules relating to identification cards under sub. (5m).
f.
Promulgating the rules governing professional conduct under sub. (7) (b).
2.
Consult with the department concerning investigations under sub. (8).
(c)
The committee shall submit to the secretary, upon request of the secretary not more often than annually, a report on the operation of the committee.
(7)
Rule making.
(a)
The department may not promulgate rules that impose requirements for granting a license that are in addition to the requirements specified in sub. (3).
(b)
The department, after receiving advice from the committee, may promulgate rules governing the professional conduct of individuals licensed under sub. (3). The rules shall incorporate the rules of professional conduct adopted by the National Association of the Deaf, or its successor, and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or its successor, or a substantially equivalent organization, as determined by the department after receiving advice from the committee.
(7m)
Submitting complaints. The department shall facilitate the submission of complaints concerning alleged violations of this section or rules promulgated under this section, including by accepting complaints submitted by mail.
(8)
Disciplinary proceedings and actions. Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the department may make investigations and conduct hearings to determine whether a violation of this section or any rule promulgated under this section has occurred and may reprimand a person who is licensed under sub. (3) or may deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a license granted under sub. (3) if it finds that the applicant or licensee has violated this section or any rule promulgated under this section.
(9)
Penalty. A person who violates this section or any rule promulgated under this section may be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.
History:  2009 a. 360; 2019 a. 17; 2021 a. 239 ss. 63, 64, 74.