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Commission creates Louisiana Sign Language Interpreter Registration Oversight Committee, adds member eligibility safeguards
Summary
The commission approved an oversight committee to advise on interpreter registration, minimum qualifications, compliance, and grievances, with membership criteria, staggered terms, and requirements to ensure representation; commissioners added language requiring members be familiar with specialty credentialing and administrative processes.
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf approved establishing a Louisiana Sign Language Interpreter Registration Oversight Committee (IOC) to advise LCD on minimum qualification standards, registration requirements, complaints and compliance.
Chairperson Sheri Crosby presented the ad hoc committee’s recommendation, explaining the IOC would have three to seven members and aim for statewide, diverse representation of interpreters (generalist, preK–12, education, court/legal) and sign-language users. The IOC’s duties include recommending policy and procedures, reviewing appeals and grievances, and issuing quarterly reports to the commission containing findings and recommendations.
Commissioner Leslie Nolles (ad hoc committee member) and others pressed for clarity on scope and timing: Nolles noted the draft was finalized shortly before the meeting and urged adequate review time for affected stakeholders. Commissioner Dr. Megan Wimberly proposed—and the board approved—an amendment requiring IOC members be familiar with the credentialing expectations and administrative procedures unique to each interpreter specialty (education, court, community), to ensure the committee can effectively evaluate grievances and registration issues.
The board debated whether to postpone final approval to allow wider review but ultimately moved forward. After amendments and a motion to accept the document as revised, the board voted to establish the IOC and begin the appointment process; the chair noted that applications will be collected and forwarded to the board for appointment at a future public meeting.
Acting Director Jana Brousard said next steps include publishing the membership application on the LCD website and staging outreach so that the IOC’s staggered terms and member composition meet the stated goals of statewide and demographic balance. Brousard reiterated the document remains an advisory framework to the commission and that a town hall and additional public engagement will follow before any standards are finalized.
