Bill > H520

This bill establishes a comprehensive system for training, assessing, and qualifying school interpreters in educational settings to improve language access for Limited English Proficient (LEP) parents and guardians. The bill defines three tiers of interpreters (Tier 1, 2, and 3) with increasing levels of language proficiency and educational terminology understanding, and specifies their appropriate use in different types of school meetings. For specialized meetings like Individualized Education Program (IEP) discussions, safety plans, disciplinary matters, and special education processes, only Tier 3 interpreters will be permitted, while standard meetings can use Tier 2 or 3 interpreters, and spontaneous interactions can use Tier 1 interpreters when higher-tier interpreters are unavailable. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will develop training courses, create a public mechanism to identify qualified Tier 3 interpreters, and establish regulations for assessing interpreter language proficiency, including provisions for grandfathering existing school employee interpreters. The bill allows for a phased implementation across school districts and will only become fully operational statewide when the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education certifies its readiness in a report to the state legislature.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H520