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Panel approves certification requirement for educational interpreters
Summary
The committee reported Substitute Senate Bill 5,025 with a due-pass recommendation after adopting two amendments to broaden who qualifies as an educational interpreter and to require PESB consultation with accredited interpreter training programs.
The House Education Committee voted to report Substitute Senate Bill 5,025 with a due-pass recommendation (18-0, 1 excused) after adopting two amendments.
The bill directs the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to establish full and limited certificates for deaf and deafblind educational interpreters and requires that by the start of the 2027–28 school year, educational interpreters employed by school districts obtain a certificate. Interpreters who have not yet obtained a full certificate but demonstrate satisfactory effort toward certification may continue to provide services for up to 18 months after completing an assessment, and PESB must annually publish certification data, staff said.
One adopted amendment (WAR 2 24) removes a phrase tying the definition of “educational interpreter” to school-district employment so the definition covers interpreter employees and contracted individuals; another amendment (WAR 2 25) requires PESB to consult with an accredited college or university providing interpreter training in Washington when adopting standards, assessments and implementation rules.
“Megan, staff member, said: “This bill directs the Professional Educator Standards Board, or PESB, to establish full and limited certificates for deaf and deaf blind educational interpreters. It specifies that by the beginning of the 20 seven-twenty 8 school year, educational interpreters employed by school districts must obtain a certificate and provides that those without a certificate, but who demonstrate satisfactory efforts towards the full certificate, may provide educational interpreter services for up to 18 months after completing the assessment.”
Representative Donaghy, who spoke in support, said establishing standards and certification will help ensure students who are deaf or hard of hearing receive consistent, qualified interpretation in classrooms. Representative Santos, sponsor of an amendment and the committee chair during discussion, moved adoption of one amendment to ensure the definition does not limit interpreters to only district employees.
The committee incorporated the adopted amendments into a striking amendment and reported the bill with a do-pass recommendation. The clerk recorded 18 ayes, 0 nays and 1 excused.
