Rhode Island § 5-71-2 - Licensure of Interpreters for the Deaf

§ 5-71-2. Declaration of policy and statement of purpose.

(a) It is declared the policy of the state that the practice of interpreting and the practice of transliterating affects, including, but not limited to, the public health, safety, welfare, civic, economic, social, academic, and recreational aspects of life, and shall be subject to licensure and regulation in the public’s interest. It is further declared that:

(1) Individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, or other individuals with disabilities whose primary language is sign language have a civil right to effective communication;

(2) Consumers and those with whom they communicate require, and are entitled to, competent, reliable interpreting services, and that the availability of competent, reliable, credentialed interpreting services is necessary for consumers to realize their right to full and equal participation in society.

(b) A purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum qualifications for interpreters and to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public.