§1596b Foreign language proficiency: National Foreign Language Skills Registry

Summary

The Secretary of Defense can create and run the National Foreign Language Skills Registry. It lists people who know one or more critical foreign languages, are willing to do translation or interpretation for U.S. national security during war or a national emergency, and meet the registry’s eligibility rules. To join, a person must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, sign up in the way the Secretary requires, and meet the language and other selection standards. The registry will include names and other relevant details the Secretary chooses and may be kept private under federal privacy rules. The Secretary will decide which languages are “critical” when there aren’t enough qualified translators or interpreters. "Linguistic services" means translating or interpreting.