Committee hears competing views on bill to streamline sign-language interpreter licensing

PORTLAND — The House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection heard testimony May 6 on Senate Bill 950A, which would let the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters set by rule criteria for a supervisory interpreter license, consolidate specialty licenses into a simplified three-license structure and create an in-training interpreter license.

Advocates said the bill would reduce administrative barriers and help shore up a shrinking interpreter workforce while opponents and some educators warned the changes could remove pathways and standards important to educational interpreting.

SB 950A would: transfer some authority over sign-language interpreter licensing from the Oregon Health Licensing Office (HLO) to the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters; eliminate multiple specialty licenses that advocates say create duplicate fees and paperwork; create a sign-language interpreter and a training license; clarify exemptions and temporary licensure; and require licensing fees be reasonable and justified.

Kaylee McGuire, testifying on behalf of Sen. Janine Solomon, said the bill’s…