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                                 SENATE AMENDED
        PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 523, 2947                PRINTER'S NO. 4074

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


HOUSE BILL

No. 445 Session of 2003


        INTRODUCED BY NAILOR, LEDERER, FLEAGLE, ROEBUCK, BARD, BARRAR,
           BEBKO-JONES, BELFANTI, BISHOP, BROWNE, BUNT, CAPPELLI,
           CIVERA, COSTA, COY, CRAHALLA, CREIGHTON, CRUZ, GABIG, GEIST,
           GRUCELA, HALUSKA, HARHAI, HERMAN, HORSEY, JAMES, JOSEPHS,
           LAUGHLIN, LEACH, MARSICO, McILHATTAN, S. MILLER, MYERS,
           READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROBERTS, SAINATO, SEMMEL, SOLOBAY,
           STABACK, E. Z. TAYLOR, TIGUE, VANCE, YOUNGBLOOD, ZUG,
           WASHINGTON, THOMAS, T. STEVENSON AND BENNINGHOFF,
           FEBRUARY 25, 2003

        SENATOR TOMLINSON, CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL
           LICENSURE, IN SENATE, AS AMENDED, JUNE 15, 2004

                                     AN ACT

     1  Providing for the establishment of standards for providing sign   <--
     2     language interpreting and transliterating services for
     3     individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in this
     4     Commonwealth who hold themselves out as qualified sign
     5     language interpreters and transliterators.
     6  PROVIDING FOR STATE REGISTRATION OF INDIVIDUALS PROVIDING SIGN    <--
     7     LANGUAGE INTERPRETING AND TRANSLITERATING SERVICES TO
     8     INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING; AND IMPOSING
     9     DUTIES ON THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING IN THE
    10     DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY.

    11     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    12  hereby enacts as follows:
    13  Section 1.  Short title.                                          <--
    14     This act shall be known and may be cited as the Sign Language
    15  Interpreters and Transliterators Registration Act.
    16  Section 2.  Definitions.
    17     The following words and phrases when used in this act shall


     1  have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
     2  context clearly indicates otherwise:
     3     "Applicant."  An individual who is applying for registration
     4  as a qualified interpreter or a qualified transliterator.
     5     "Deaf."  A natural person who is deaf and hard of hearing.
     6     "Department."  The Department of Labor and Industry of the
     7  Commonwealth.
     8     "Interpreting."  The process of conveying English in
     9  grammatically correct American Sign Language and the process of
    10  conveying American Sign Language in grammatically correct
    11  English.
    12     "Office."  The Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing within the
    13  Department of Labor and Industry.
    14     "Qualified interpreter."  An individual registered under this
    15  act who engages in interpreting.
    16     "Qualified transliterator."  An individual registered under
    17  this act who engages in transliterating.
    18     "Registrant."  An individual registered under this act as
    19  either a qualified interpreter for the deaf or a qualified
    20  transliterator.
    21     "Transliterating."  The process of conveying spoken or
    22  written English in an English-based sign system and the process
    23  of conveying an English-based sign system in spoken or written
    24  English.
    25  Section 3.  Department responsibilities.
    26     The department shall have the power and duty to do all of the
    27  following:
    28         (1)  Administer this act.
    29         (2)  Register applicants in accordance with section 5.
    30         (3)  Maintain a list of all registered interpreters and
    20030H0445B4074                  - 2 -     

     1     transliterators and make this list available upon request to
     2     the public and to Federal, State and local agencies.
     3         (4)  Promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the
     4     provisions of this act.
     5  Section 4.  Registration required.
     6     (a)  Registration.--It shall be unlawful for a person to hold
     7  himself out as a qualified interpreter, qualified transliterator
     8  or to use similar titles or designations in any manner
     9  whatsoever unless the person is currently registered under this
    10  act.
    11     (b)  Exceptions.--A person who violates this section commits
    12  a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to
    13  pay a fine of not more than $300 or to imprisonment for not more
    14  than 90 days, or both, for a first violation. A person who is
    15  convicted of a subsequent violation of this section commits a
    16  misdemeanor of the third degree and shall, upon conviction, be
    17  sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than
    18  $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
    19  Section 5.  Registration, qualifications, renewal fees and
    20                 records.
    21     (a)  Application.--An individual may apply to the office for
    22  registration. The applicant shall submit to the office the
    23  following:
    24         (1)  A completed application for registration.
    25         (2)  Payment of the required fee.
    26         (3)  Proof that the applicant meets one of the following
    27     requirements:
    28             (i)  The applicant is certified by the National or
    29         local Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or the
    30         National Association of the Deaf.
    20030H0445B4074                  - 3 -     

     1             (ii)  The applicant meets registration requirements
     2         established by the office pursuant to its regulations.
     3     (b)  Renewal.--A registrant shall renew registration on a
     4  biennial basis by submitting to the office the information and
     5  fee required by subsection (a).
     6     (c)  Registration cards.--The office shall review each
     7  completed application for registration and renewal and issue a
     8  registration card to an applicant when it is satisfied that the
     9  individual meets the criteria of this section.
    10     (d)  Fees.--The fee for registration or renewal of an
    11  existing registration shall, unless modified by regulations, be
    12  $10.
    13  Section 6.  Proof of registration.
    14     A registrant shall provide proof of current registration
    15  under this act to the person receiving transliterating or
    16  interpreting services.
    17  Section 7.  Change of personal information.
    18     A registrant shall notify the office of any change of name or
    19  mailing address within ten days.
    20  Section 8.  Confidential communications.
    21     A registrant who acquires information protected by law as a
    22  confidential communication in the course of providing
    23  interpreter or transliterator services to or on behalf of a
    24  person who is deaf may not be required to disclose this
    25  information in any legal proceeding, trial or investigation
    26  before any governmental unit without the consent of the
    27  individual receiving transliterating or interpreting services. A
    28  registrant shall hold the legal privilege that applies to the
    29  individual receiving the services.
    30  Section 9.  Registration violations.
    20030H0445B4074                  - 4 -     

     1     (a)  Violations.--The department shall have authority to
     2  impose disciplinary or corrective measures, or levy civil
     3  penalties on a registrant for any or all of the following
     4  reasons:
     5         (1)  Obtaining a registration or biennial renewal through
     6     fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.
     7         (2)  Being convicted of a felony or of a crime in this
     8     Commonwealth or any other jurisdiction relating to the
     9     providing of transliterating or interpreting services.
    10         (3)  Being the subject of disciplinary or other
    11     administrative action taken against a registration,
    12     certification or license to provide transliterating or
    13     interpreting services by the authority of another state or
    14     government agency.
    15         (4)  Committing fraud, gross negligence or misconduct
    16     relating to transliterating or interpreting services.
    17         (5)  Engaging in any other misconduct related to the
    18     provision of transliterating or interpreting services as
    19     determined by the office pursuant to its regulations.
    20         (6)  Being incompetent to provide interpreter or
    21     transliterator services.
    22         (7)  Violating any provision of this act or the office's
    23     regulations.
    24         (8)  Failure to comply with a lawful order entered in a
    25     disciplinary proceeding under this act.
    26     (b)  Procedure.--Actions relating to violations of this act
    27  under this section shall be subject to the right of notice,
    28  hearing in adjudication in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating
    29  to administrative law and procedure). The department shall have
    30  the power to subpoena witnesses and to compel the production of
    20030H0445B4074                  - 5 -     

     1  documents, books and papers in a hearing and to administer
     2  oaths.
     3  Section 10.  Disciplinary or corrective action.
     4     (a)  Action.--When the department is empowered to take action
     5  for registration violations pursuant to this act, the department
     6  may:
     7         (1)  Suspend, deny, refuse to renew or revoke a sign
     8     language interpreter registration of an individual.
     9         (2)  Issue a public reprimand.
    10         (3)  Require the registrant to take refresher educational
    11     courses or training.
    12         (4)  Require the registrant to provide transliterating or
    13     interpreting services under supervision or other conditions
    14     or restrictions as the department finds is in the best
    15     interest of the public health and safety.
    16     (b)  Surrender of registration.--If a registration has been
    17  suspended or revoked, the individual shall return the
    18  registration to the office in the manner the office directs. An
    19  individual who fails to return the registration in accordance
    20  with this section commits a summary offense.
    21     (c)  Reapplication.--An individual whose registration has
    22  been revoked may reapply for registration in accordance with
    23  section 5 no earlier than five years after the date the previous
    24  registration was revoked.
    25     (d)  Civil penalty.--In addition to any other action provided
    26  for in this act, the department may levy a civil penalty of up
    27  to $500 per violation on any registrant who violates this act or
    28  upon any person who provides or offers to provide
    29  transliterating or interpreting services without being currently
    30  registered. The department shall levy this penalty only after
    20030H0445B4074                  - 6 -     

     1  affording the accused party the opportunity for a hearing as
     2  provided for in section 9(b).
     3  Section 11.  Effect of order.
     4     A decision and order of the department from which no timely
     5  appeal is taken to a court of competent jurisdiction shall be a
     6  final order and shall be enforceable by a court of competent
     7  jurisdiction.
     8  Section 12.  Injunctive relief.
     9     If an individual violates this act, the director of the
    10  office, the office or an affected consumer of interpreting or
    11  transliterating services may maintain an action in a court of
    12  competent jurisdiction for an injunction or other process
    13  restraining or prohibiting the individual from engaging in the
    14  activity. In any proceeding under this section, it shall not be
    15  necessary to show that any person is individually injured. If
    16  the court finds that an individual has violated this act, it
    17  shall enjoin the individual from engaging in the activity.
    18  Section 13.  Applicability.
    19     The provisions of this act shall apply to any interpreting or
    20  transliterating service that is provided on or after the July 1,
    21  2004.
    22  Section 14.  Effective date.
    23     This act shall take effect in 60 days.
    24  SECTION 1.  SHORT TITLE.                                          <--
    25     THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE SIGN LANGUAGE
    26  INTERPRETER AND TRANSLITERATOR STATE REGISTRATION ACT.
    27  SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS.
    28     THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ACT SHALL
    29  HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE
    30  CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
    20030H0445B4074                  - 7 -     

     1     "APPLICANT."  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO  APPLIES FOR STATE
     2  REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 5.
     3     "DEPARTMENT."  THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY OF THE
     4  COMMONWEALTH.
     5     "EIPA."  THE EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
     6  EXAMINATION ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR ITS
     7  AGENT.
     8     "INTERPRETING."  THE PROCESS OF CONVEYING ENGLISH IN
     9  GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND THE PROCESS OF
    10  CONVEYING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE IN ENGLISH.
    11     "OFFICE."  THE OFFICE FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING WITHIN
    12  THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY.
    13     "QUALIFIED SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER."  AN INDIVIDUAL
    14  REGISTERED UNDER THIS ACT WHO ENGAGES IN SIGN LANGUAGE
    15  INTERPRETATION.
    16     "QUALIFIED TRANSLITERATOR."  AN INDIVIDUAL REGISTERED UNDER
    17  THIS ACT WHO ENGAGES IN TRANSLITERATION.
    18     "REGISTRANT."  AN INDIVIDUAL REGISTERED UNDER THIS ACT AS
    19  EITHER A QUALIFIED SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER OR A QUALIFIED
    20  TRANSLITERATOR.
    21     "SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER."  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO PROVIDES
    22  INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING WITH INTERPRETING
    23  OR TRANSLITERATING SERVICES.
    24     "TRANSLITERATING."  THE PROCESS OF CONVEYING A SPOKEN MESSAGE
    25  FROM A PERSON WHO HEARS TO A PERSON WHO IS DEAF OR HARD OF
    26  HEARING AND THE ABILITY TO REPEAT THE MESSAGE AND INTENT OF THE
    27  SPEECH, MOUTH MOVEMENTS OR ENGLISH-BASED SIGNED SYSTEM OF THE
    28  PERSON WHO IS DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING.
    29  SECTION 3.  OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES.
    30     THE OFFICE SHALL DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
    20030H0445B4074                  - 8 -     

     1         (1)  ADMINISTER THIS ACT.
     2         (2)  REGISTER APPLICANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 5.
     3         (3)  MAINTAIN A LIST OF ALL REGISTRANTS AND MAKE THE LIST
     4     AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO THE PUBLIC AND TO FEDERAL, STATE
     5     AND LOCAL AGENCIES.
     6         (4)  PROMULGATE REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE
     7     PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
     8  SECTION 4.  STATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
     9     (A)  GENERAL RULE.--EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B), NO
    10  INDIVIDUAL MAY PROVIDE OR OFFER TO PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE
    11  INTERPRETING OR TRANSLITERATING SERVICES, OR HOLD HIMSELF AS A
    12  QUALIFIED SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER OR QUALIFIED TRANSLITERATOR
    13  OR, USE A SIMILAR TITLE OR DESIGNATION, WITHOUT BEING STATE
    14  REGISTERED BY THE OFFICE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT.
    15     (B)  EXCEPTIONS.--THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS ARE EXEMPT FROM
    16  THE STATE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (A):
    17         (1)  AN INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED IN INTERPRETING OR
    18     TRANSLITERATING AT A WORSHIP SERVICE CONDUCTED BY A RELIGIOUS
    19     ENTITY AND SERVICES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES FOR A RELIGIOUS
    20     ENTITY OR RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED SCHOOL.
    21         (2)  AN INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED IN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING
    22     OR TRANSLITERATING DURING AN EMERGENCY, WHEN A DELAY IN
    23     OBTAINING A STATE-REGISTERED INTERPRETER OR STATE-REGISTERED
    24     TRANSLITERATOR MIGHT LEAD TO INJURY OR LOSS TO THE INDIVIDUAL
    25     REQUIRING THE SERVICES.
    26         (3)  AN INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED IN INTERPRETING OR
    27     TRANSLITERATING AS PART OF A SUPERVISED INTERNSHIP OR
    28     PRACTICUM AT AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, OR THE
    29     REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DEAF, OR THE NATIONAL
    30     ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF, PROVIDED IT IS NOT IN A LEGAL,
    20030H0445B4074                  - 9 -     

     1     MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH SETTING.
     2         (4)  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS CERTIFIED BY THE NATIONAL
     3     ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF OR THE REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR
     4     THE DEAF FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMONWEALTH WHO PROVIDES
     5     INTERPRETING OR TRANSLITERING SERVICES IN THE COMMONWEALTH
     6     FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING 14 DAYS EACH CALENDAR YEAR.
     7         (5)  AN INDIVIDUAL ENGAGED IN INTERPRETING OR
     8     TRANSLITERATING AT THE REQUEST OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS DEAF
     9     OR HARD OF HEARING IF THE INDIVIDUAL INFORMS THE CLIENT THAT
    10     THE INDIVIDUAL IS NOT REGISTERED UNDER THIS ACT.
    11         (6)  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ENGAGES IN INTERPRETING OR
    12     TRANSLITERATING STRICTLY AS A VOLUNTEER.
    13         (7)  AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ENGAGES IN INTERPRETING OR
    14     TRANSLITERATING FOR A SCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITY IN ACCORDANCE
    15     WITH ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
    16             (I)  THE INDIVIDUAL IS EMPLOYED IN A PUBLIC OR
    17         PRIVATE ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION
    18         CHARTERED BY THE COMMONWEALTH.
    19             (II)  THE INDIVIDUAL RECEIVED A RATING EQUAL TO OR
    20         EXCEEDING 70% ON THE EIPA. A SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL
    21         DETERMINE THE EIPA BY GRADE LEVEL OF THE CHILD OR CLASS
    22         TO WHICH THE INTERPRETER IS ASSIGNED AND THE SIGN SYSTEM
    23         BEING USED BY THE CLASS OR SCHOOL.
    24     (C)  UNLAWFUL PRACTICE.--AN INDIVIDUAL WHO VIOLATES THIS
    25  SECTION COMMITS A SUMMARY OFFENSE AND SHALL, UPON CONVICTION, BE
    26  SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE NOT TO EXCEED $300 OR TO IMPRISONMENT
    27  FOR NOT MORE THAN 90 DAYS, OR BOTH, FOR A FIRST VIOLATION. AN
    28  INDIVIDUAL WHO IS CONVICTED OF A SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION OF THIS
    29  SECTION COMMITS A MISDEMEANOR OF THE THIRD DEGREE AND SHALL BE
    30  SENTENCED TO PAY A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN $300 OR MORE THAN
    20030H0445B4074                 - 10 -     

     1  $1,000 OR TO SERVE A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN 90
     2  DAYS, OR BOTH.
     3  SECTION 5.  STATE REGISTRATION.
     4     (A)  APPLICATION.--AN INDIVIDUAL MAY APPLY TO THE OFFICE TO
     5  BE A STATE-REGISTERED SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER OR
     6  TRANSLITERATOR.
     7         (1)  THE APPLICANT SHALL SUBMIT TO THE OFFICE ALL OF THE
     8     FOLLOWING:
     9             (I)  A COMPLETED APPLICATION.
    10             (II)  PAYMENT OF ANY REQUIRED FEES.
    11             (III)  PROOF THAT THE APPLICANT HAS PASSED AN
    12         EXAMINATION APPROVED BY THE OFFICE WHICH TESTS KNOWLEDGE,
    13         EXPERIENCE AND PROFICIENCY IN INTERPRETING AND
    14         TRANSLITERATING.
    15         (2)  THE OFFICE SHALL REVIEW EACH COMPLETED APPLICATION
    16     AND SHALL ISSUE A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER REGISTRATION TO
    17     THE APPLICANT WHEN THE OFFICE IS SATISFIED THAT ALL OF THE
    18     FOLLOWING CRITERIA HAVE BEEN MET:
    19             (I)  THE APPLICANT IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.
    20             (II)  THE APPLICANT HAS PASSED THE EXAMINATION
    21         REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (A).
    22             (III)  THE APPLICANT HAS PAID ALL APPLICABLE FEES
    23         ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS ACT.
    24             (IV)  THE APPLICANT POSSESSES THE GENERAL FITNESS,
    25         COMPETENCE AND RELIABILITY SUFFICIENT TO SATISFY THE
    26         OFFICE THAT THE APPLICANT IS WORTHY OF THE STATE
    27         REGISTRATION.
    28             (V)  OTHER CRITERIA AS THE OFFICE MAY ESTABLISH BY
    29         REGULATION.
    30     (B)  REGISTRATION.--A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER STATE
    20030H0445B4074                 - 11 -     

     1  REGISTRATION ISSUED BY THE OFFICE SHALL BE:
     2         (1)  ISSUED ONLY IN THE NAME OF THE APPLICANT.
     3         (2)  ISSUED IN PAPER OR ELECTRONIC FORM.
     4         (3)  NONTRANSFERABLE.
     5         (4)  ISSUED FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED TWO YEARS.
     6     (C)  RENEWAL.--A REGISTRANT MAY RENEW A STATE REGISTRATION BY
     7  SUBMITTING TO THE OFFICE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION
     8  (A) AND ANY APPLICABLE FEES.
     9     (D)  FEES.--THE FEE FOR STATE REGISTRATION OR RENEWAL OF AN
    10  EXISTING STATE REGISTRATION SHALL, UNTIL MODIFIED BY REGULATION,
    11  BE $100.
    12  SECTION 6.  CHANGE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION.
    13     A REGISTRANT SHALL NOTIFY THE OFFICE OF ANY CHANGE OF NAME OR
    14  MAILING ADDRESS WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE CHANGE.
    15  SECTION 7.  CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS.
    16     EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LAW, A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER WHO
    17  ACQUIRES CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION WHILE INTERPRETING OR
    18  TRANSLITERATING MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THE INFORMATION
    19  IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING, TRIAL OR INVESTIGATION BEFORE A
    20  GOVERNMENTAL UNIT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL
    21  RECEIVING INTERPRETING OR TRANSLITERATING SERVICES. THE SIGN
    22  LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SHALL HOLD ANY LEGAL PRIVILEGE THAT THE
    23  INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING THE SERVICES HOLDS.
    24  SECTION 8.  REGISTRATION VIOLATIONS.
    25     (A)  VIOLATIONS.--THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
    26  IMPOSE DISCIPLINARY OR CORRECTIVE MEASURES OR LEVY CIVIL
    27  PENALTIES ON A REGISTRANT FOR DOING ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
    28         (1)  OBTAIN A STATE REGISTRATION OR RENEWAL OF A
    29     REGISTRATION THROUGH FRAUD, DECEIT OR MISREPRESENTATION;
    30         (2)  BE CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR A CRIME, IN THIS
    20030H0445B4074                 - 12 -     

     1     COMMONWEALTH OR OTHER JURISDICTION, RELATING TO THE PROVISION
     2     OF INTERPRETING OR TRANSLITERATING SERVICES;
     3         (3)  BE THE SUBJECT OF DISCIPLINARY OR OTHER
     4     ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THIS REGISTRATION,
     5     CERTIFICATION OR LICENSE TO PROVIDE INTERPRETING OR
     6     TRANSLITERATING SERVICES IN ANOTHER STATE BY A GOVERNMENT
     7     AGENCY;
     8         (4)  COMMIT FRAUD, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR MISCONDUCT
     9     RELATING TO PROVISION OF INTERPRETING OR TRANSLITERATING
    10     SERVICES AS DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE;
    11         (5)  ENGAGE IN ANY OTHER MISCONDUCT RELATING TO THE
    12     PROVISION OF INTERPRETING OR TRANSLITERATING SERVICES AS
    13     DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE; OR
    14         (6)  VIOLATE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT OR THE
    15     REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THIS ACT AS ESTABLISHED BY THE
    16     OFFICE.
    17     (B)  PROCEDURE.--IF THE DEPARTMENT FINDS A VIOLATION OF
    18  SUBSECTION (A), IT SHALL GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE REGISTRANT
    19  SPECIFYING THE VIOLATION OR VIOLATIONS FOUND. THE DEPARTMENT MAY
    20  ASSESS AN ADMINISTRATIVE FINE NOT TO EXCEED $500 FOR EACH
    21  VIOLATION. IN SETTING THE FINE, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSIDER
    22  THE SEVERITY OF THE VIOLATION AND WHETHER THERE IS A PATTERN OF
    23  VIOLATIONS.
    24  SECTION 9.  SUSPENSION, DENIAL, NONRENEWAL OR REVOCATION OF
    25                 STATE REGISTRATION.
    26     (A)  ACTION.--ACTIONS RELATING TO VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT
    27  UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF NOTICE,
    28  HEARING IN ADJUDICATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 PA.C.S. (RELATING
    29  TO ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND PROCEDURE). WHEN THE DEPARTMENT IS
    30  EMPOWERED TO TAKE ACTION FOR REGISTRATION VIOLATIONS PURSUANT TO
    20030H0445B4074                 - 13 -     

     1  THIS ACT, THE DEPARTMENT MAY:
     2         (1)  INDEFINITELY SUSPEND, SUSPEND FOR A TERM CERTAIN,
     3     REFUSE TO ISSUE, REFUSE TO RENEW OR REVOKE A STATE
     4     REGISTRATION.
     5         (2)  ISSUE A PUBLIC REPRIMAND.
     6         (3)  REQUIRE THE REGISTRANT TO TAKE A REFRESHER
     7     EDUCATIONAL COURSE OR TRAINING.
     8     (B)  SURRENDER OF STATE REGISTRATION.--IF A REGISTRANT'S
     9  STATE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, THE REGISTRANT
    10  SHALL RETURN THE STATE REGISTRATION TO THE OFFICE IN THE MANNER
    11  THE OFFICE DIRECTS. AN INDIVIDUAL WHO FAILS TO RETURN A STATE
    12  REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION COMMITS A
    13  SUMMARY OFFENSE.
    14     (C)  REAPPLICATION.--
    15         (1)  AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE STATE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN
    16     SUSPENDED MAY REAPPLY TO THE OFFICE TO HAVE IT REACTIVATED,
    17     PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE OFFICE. AT A MINIMUM,
    18     THE INDIVIDUAL MUST SHOW COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THE TERMS AND
    19     CONDITIONS OF THE SUSPENSION ORDER AND SHALL PAY A
    20     REACTIVATION FEE TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE BY
    21     REGULATION.
    22         (2)  AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE STATE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN
    23     REVOKED MAY APPLY FOR A STATE REGISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH
    24     SECTION 5 NOT EARLIER THAN FIVE YEARS AFTER THE DATE THE
    25     PREVIOUS STATE REGISTRATION WAS REVOKED.
    26  SECTION 10.  APPEALS.
    27     AN INDIVIDUAL AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE OFFICE MAY
    28  APPEAL THE DECISION OF THE OFFICE TO THE DEPARTMENT. THE APPEAL
    29  SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2 PA.C.S. CH. 5 SUBCH. A
    30  (RELATING TO PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF COMMONWEALTH AGENCIES).
    20030H0445B4074                 - 14 -     

     1  SECTION 11.  EFFECT OF AN ORDER.
     2     A DECISION OF THE OFFICE FROM WHICH NO TIMELY APPEAL IS TAKEN
     3  TO THE DEPARTMENT OR AN ORDER OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM WHICH NO
     4  TIMELY APPEAL IS TAKEN TO A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION
     5  SHALL BE A FINAL ORDER AND SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE BY A COURT OF
     6  COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
     7  SECTION 12.  INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.
     8     IF AN INDIVIDUAL VIOLATES THIS ACT, THE DIRECTOR OF THE
     9  OFFICE, THE STATE BOARD OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION OR AN
    10  INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING INTERPRETING OR TRANSLITERATING SERVICES
    11  MAY MAINTAIN AN ACTION IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION FOR
    12  AN INJUNCTION OR OTHER PROCESS RESTRAINING OR PROHIBITING THE
    13  PERSON FROM ENGAGING IN THE ACTIVITY. IN ANY PROCEEDING UNDER
    14  THIS SECTION, IT SHALL NOT BE NECESSARY TO SHOW THAT AN
    15  INDIVIDUAL WAS INDIVIDUALLY INJURED. IF THE COURT FINDS THAT AN
    16  INDIVIDUAL HAS VIOLATED THIS ACT, IT SHALL ENJOIN THE INDIVIDUAL
    17  FROM ENGAGING IN THE ACTIVITY UNTIL THE INDIVIDUAL COMPLIES WITH
    18  THIS ACT.
    19  SECTION 13.  APPLICABILITY.
    20     THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL APPLY TO INTERPRETING OR
    21  TRANSLITERATING SERVICES PROVIDED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2005.
    22  SECTION 14.  EFFECTIVE DATE.
    23     THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IN 60 DAYS.





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