Bill > SF2043

This bill establishes a spoken language health care interpreter work group in Minnesota to address challenges and improve interpreter services across the state. The work group will consist of 15 members representing various stakeholders, including interpreters, limited English proficiency (LEP) individuals, health plans, health systems, interpreter agencies, government departments, and healthcare providers. The group's primary duties include developing recommendations to enhance health care interpreting services, such as updating interpreter certification requirements, addressing barriers for interpreters (especially in rural areas and for uncommon languages), improving reimbursement processes, identifying service gaps, and suggesting training and continuing education programs. The commissioner of health will appoint members by August 15, 2025, and convene the first meeting by October 1, 2025. The work group will provide at least two public comment opportunities in the five most common Minnesota languages and submit a comprehensive report with recommendations and potential legislative changes to legislative committees by November 1, 2026. The bill includes a one-time appropriation to support the work group's establishment and includes an expiration date of November 2, 2026, or upon submission of the required report.

Government Affairs, Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2043&ssn=0&y=2025