Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Alternative pathway program." An educational equivalency program approved by the office. (Def. added Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
"Applicant." An individual who applies for State registration in accordance with section 5 or provisional registration under section 5.1.
"Certification." The resulting credential from passing a standardized test that demonstrates knowledge, ethical decision- making and interpreting skills and meeting any other requirements that are approved by the office and transmitted to the Legislative Reference Bureau and published in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin. When evaluating certifications for potential approval, the office shall consider the following standards:
(1) Any current or past certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., national interpreter certification or certified deaf interpreter certification.
(2) Any current or past certification from the State of Texas Board for Evaluation of Interpreters at the advanced or master level.
(3) Any other available certification.
(Def. added Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
"Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth.
"EIPA." (Deleted by amendment).
"Interpreting." The process of conveying English in grammatically correct American Sign Language and the process of conveying American Sign Language in English.
"Office." The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing within the Department of Labor and Industry.
"Qualified sign language interpreter." An individual who is State-registered under this act and who engages in sign language interpretation.
"Qualified transliterator." An individual who is State-registered under this act who engages in transliteration.
"Registrant." An individual who is State-registered under this act as either a qualified sign language interpreter or a qualified transliterator.
"Sign language interpreter." An individual who provides individuals who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing with interpreting or transliterating services. (Def. amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
"Transliterating." The process of conveying a spoken message from a person who hears to a person who is deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing and the ability to repeat the message and intent of the speech, mouth movements or English-based signed system of the person who is deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. (Def. amended Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
"Video remote interpreting." A fee-based interpreting service conveyed via video conferencing or other technology where at least one individual, typically the interpreter, is at a separate location. (Def. added Oct. 31, 2024, P.L.1158, No.143)
(2 amended Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1355, No.124)