| 43 | | - | WHEREAS, American Sign Language (ASL) is a distinct language with its own cultural heritage and language rules and structure; and WHEREAS, ASL interpreters provide a critical service to deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and hearing individuals and public agencies in the State who wish to effectively communicate with each other in a variety of settings and circumstances; and WHEREAS, the Disability and Communication Access Board notes there is an increased need statewide for communication access provided by ASL interpreters, as reflected in the number of requests made to local interpreter referral agencies; and WHEREAS, despite the increase in requests for ASL interpreting services, there is increased difficulty in the recruitment of individuals who are qualified to serve as ASL interpreters; and WHEREAS, to provide greater accessibility for individuals to receive ASL interpretation services in the State during emergencies and daily life activities, there is a critical need to develop an ASL interpreter workforce; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Disability and Communication Access Board is requested to convene an American Sign Language Interpreter Workforce Working Group to promote increasing the number of American Sign Language interpreters in the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to recommend training and incentives to increase the number of ASL interpreters in the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include the following members: (1) A representative from the Disability and Communication Access Board, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group; (2) A representative from the Department of Education; (3) A representative from the Department of Human Services' Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; (4) A representative from the Department of Health's Office of Language Access; (5) A member of the Deaf and Blind Task Force; (6) A professor from the University of Hawaii who teaches ASL; (7) A senator selected by the President of the Senate; (8) A representative selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (9) An individual who currently serves as an ASL interpreter; and (10) Any additional representatives invited by the chairperson of the working group; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group, with the administrative assistance of the Department of Health, is requested to submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024 and a final report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to be dissolved on June 30, 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board, Executive Director of the Office of Language Access, Superintendent of Education, Administrator of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, President of the University of Hawaii System, and Chair of the Deaf and Blind Task Force. Report Title: Deaf and Blind Task Force; Disability and Communication Access Board; American Sign Language Interpreter Workforce Working Group |
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| 41 | + | WHEREAS, American Sign Language (ASL) is a distinct language with its own cultural heritage and language rules and structure; and WHEREAS, ASL interpreters provide a critical service to deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and hearing individuals and public agencies in the State who wish to effectively communicate with each other in a variety of settings and circumstances; and WHEREAS, the Disability and Communication Access Board notes there is an increased need statewide for communication access provided by ASL interpreters, as reflected in the number of requests made to local interpreter referral agencies; and WHEREAS, despite the increase in requests for ASL interpreting services, there is increased difficulty in the recruitment of individuals who are qualified to serve as ASL interpreters; and WHEREAS, to provide greater accessibility for individuals to receive ASL interpretation services in the State during emergencies and daily life activities, there is a critical need to develop an ASL interpreter workforce; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Department of Health's Office of Language Access is requested to convene an American Sign Language Interpreter Workforce Working Group for the purpose of promoting the increase of American Sign Language interpreters in the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to recommend training and incentives to increase the number of ASL interpreters in the State; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group's membership include the following members: (1) A representative from the Department of Health Office of Language Access who shall serve as chairperson of the working group; (2) A representative from the Department of Education; (3) A representative from the Department of Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; (4) A member of the Deaf and Blind Task Force; (5) A professor from the University of Hawaii who teaches ASL; (6) A senator selected by the President of the Senate; (7) A representative selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (8) An individual who currently serves as an ASL interpreter; and (9) Additional representatives invited by the chairperson of the working group; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group, with the administrative assistance of the Department of Health, is requested to submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024 and a final report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to be dissolved on June 30, 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Office of Language Access, Superintendent of Education, Administrator of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, President of the University of Hawaii System, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representative, and Chair of the Deaf and Blind Task Force. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: American Sign Language; Interpreters; Workforce Development; Task Force; Deaf and Blind Task Force |
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