Occupational Board Reform Act

General Information

Committee of Jurisdiction:Health and Human Services
Occupation Regulated:American Sign Language Interpreters/Video Remote Interpreters
Occupational Board:Interpreter Review Board/Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Full Board
Contact:Executive Director, John Wyvill john.wyvill@nebraska.gov 402-471-3593
Purpose:To protect and secure the rights of deaf and hard of hearing persons who cannot readily understand or communicate in spoken language and who consequently cannot equally participate in or benefit from proceedings, programs unless licensed interpreters are available to assist them. A licensed interpreter means a person who demonstrates proficiencies in interpretation or transliteration as required by the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hea
Regulated Professionals:121 Interpreters; 12 VRI Businesses
Year Created:2007
Year Active:since 2007
Sunset Date:n/a

Authorization

Statutory Authorization:71-4728. (2) License interpreters and video remote interpreting providers under sections 20-150 to
Parent Agency:NCDHH

Membership

Number of Members:9
Who Appoints:Governor
Legislative Approval:Senate Confirmation
Qualifications of Members:There is hereby created the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing which shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the Governor subject to approval by the Legislature. The commission members shall include three deaf persons, three hard of hear
Per Diem:No
Expense Reimbursement:Yes
Term Length:three
Terms Rotate or Expire at Once:Terms Rotate

Meetings

Required FY 2020-2019:4
Held FY 2020-2019:4
Required FY 2019-2018:4
Held FY 2019-2018:4
Required FY 2018-2017:4
Held FY 2018-2017:4
Required FY 2017-2016:4
Held FY 2017-2016:3
Required FY 2016-2015:4
Held FY 2016-2015:4

Operations

Support Staff:3/15 employees at NCDHH support activities related to this survey – Executive Director, Interpreter
Shared or Separate:3/15 employees at NCDHH support activities related to this survey – Executive Director, Interpreter
FY 2020-2019 Budget:11067727
FY 2019-2018 Budget:1116897
FY 2018-2017 Budget:1076682
FY 2017-2016 Budget:1190358
FY 2016-2015 Budget:1340731
Other Funding Sources:special cash funds
Spending Authority:General revune or special cash funds

Other

Government Certificates Issued:320
Issued Certificate Descriptions:320 Licenses issued including renewals 225 QAST certifications issued including renewals Revoked (suspended) licenses in past 5 years: 1 Levied Penalties in past 5 years: 2
Government Certificates Revoked:1
Revoked Certificate Descriptions:Revoked: 2019 - Licensee signed a Consent to Discipline document and voluntarily suspended (surrendered) their license from 1-24-19 to 6-6-19 with stipulation to complete 6 hours of Commission approved ethics training covering applicable Code of Professio
Government Certificates Denied:0
Denied Certificate Descriptions:320 Licenses issued including renewals 225 QAST certifications issued including renewals Revoked (suspended) licenses in past 5 years: 1 Levied Penalties in past 5 years: 2
Government Certificates Penalties Against:2
Penalty Certificate Descriptions:Levied Penalties: 2016 - Limit interpreters license for 1 year to exclude ability to interpret in medical and mental health settings and take 1.0 CEUs in specific tenets and provide plan to NCDHH for approval prior to training. Levied Penalties: 2019 –
Explanation of Effectiveness:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/explanation1594130623.pdf
Potential HarmLicensure makes it possible for states to establish minimum qualifications for interpreters to work in all kinds of settings that impact the daily lives of deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind people. Without licensure, interpreters could go into various
Regulation Comparison:https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/SurveyDocs/comparison1594130623.pdf
Subject to Regulations of Act(LB407):No
Survey Submitted: July 7, 2020 09:03 AM