BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2420 By: Deuell Health & Human Services 9/3/2009 Enrolled AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has had trouble in the past obtaining free space to test candidates for interpreter certification. As a result, people have forgone certification because they were not able to travel to Austin to take an examination. S.B. 2420 amends current law relating to the location at which a certification examination for interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing may be conducted. [Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TCDHH), the following amendments affect the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, as the successor agency to TCDHH.] RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 81.007(i), Human Resources Code, to require the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TCDHH) to conduct the interpreter examinations in a space, rather than in Austin at TCDHH's office or in other space owned or leased by the state, that can be obtained free of charge; or at a facility selected in compliance with Section 2113.106 (State Facilities For Meetings, Conferences, and Examinations), Government Code, rather than in other cities in this state in space that can be obtained free of charge. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009. BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2420 By: Deuell Health & Human Services 9/3/2009 Enrolled AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has had trouble in the past obtaining free space to test candidates for interpreter certification. As a result, people have forgone certification because they were not able to travel to Austin to take an examination. S.B. 2420 amends current law relating to the location at which a certification examination for interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing may be conducted. [Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TCDHH), the following amendments affect the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, as the successor agency to TCDHH.] RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 81.007(i), Human Resources Code, to require the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TCDHH) to conduct the interpreter examinations in a space, rather than in Austin at TCDHH's office or in other space owned or leased by the state, that can be obtained free of charge; or at a facility selected in compliance with Section 2113.106 (State Facilities For Meetings, Conferences, and Examinations), Government Code, rather than in other cities in this state in space that can be obtained free of charge. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.