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Committee advances bill to allow video remote interpreters under speech and hearing practice act
Summary
House Bill 311 was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The bill adds video remote interpreting providers to the State’s speech and hearing services practice framework, aiming to increase access to ASL services and reduce regulatory barriers.
The committee voted to send House Bill 311 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation.
Representative Josh Wheeler (District 35), sponsor of HB 311, described the bill as “strategic deregulation” to allow video remote interpreters to operate under the speech and hearing services practice act and to increase the pool of available interpreters. “This is a way to incentivize more preceptors,” said a later sponsor in a different bill; for HB 311, Wheeler said the change “allows registered business to provide a roster of interpreters who meet the Board licensure qualifications and then they can be considered licensed to operate in the State of Idaho.”
Wheeler said the bill carries no fiscal impact and that the change is intended to maintain professional standards while increasing access for consumers who need ASL services for trainings, presentations or other interactions. Representative Levitt asked whether the expansion would be applicable to education; Wheeler said yes and said the change could help school districts access interpreters for rare language/sign needs.
A motion to send HB 311 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation passed by voice vote and the bill will advance to the full House for further consideration.
