14-20-115

WSR 14-20-115

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Operations Support and Services Division)

(Language Testing and Certification Program)

[Filed October 1, 2014, 8:13 a.m.]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 14-03-070.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 388-03 WAC, Certification of DSHS spoken language interpreters, translators, employees, and licensed agency personnel (LAPL).

Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, Lookout Room, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/RPAU-OB-2directions.html), on November 25, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than November 26, 2014.

Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail [e-mail], fax [phone], by 5:00 p.m., November 25, 2014.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jeff Kildahl, DSHS rules consultant, TTY [phone] or [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules:

.	To reflect the changed name of the program;
.	To implement agreements reached between OFM and WFSE/AFSCME;
.	To specify and implement interpreter precertification training requirements;
.	To specify and implement interpreter postcertification continuing education requirements; and
.	To specify and implement interpreter decertification process and procedures.

All of the above are changes to existing chapter 388-03 WAC. Anticipated effects of the proposed changes include program operations that will conform to common industry standards and improved quality of certified interpreters/translators. The ultimate effect of the proposal is to improve the quality of interpreter services to the limited English proficient population.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090; 45 C.F.R. Section 80.3 (b)(2); RCW 74.04.025; Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.025.

Rule is necessary because of federal law, federal court decision, and state court decision: Civil Rights Act of 1964; Reyes vs. Thompson Consent Order (1991).

Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Hungling Fu, [phone]; Implementation and Enforcement: Maria Siguenza, [phone].

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. As explained in the cost-benefit analysis, the DSHS language testing and certification program has analyzed the existing rules and the proposed rule amendment and concludes that they will impose no costs on small businesses.

A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Hungling Fu, 1115 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone [phone], e-mail [e-mail].

September 22, 2014

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 14-21 issue of the Register.