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Minutes for SB230 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Clarifying the authority of the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 28, 2020
Chairperson Baumgardner opened the hearing on SB230.
Staff gave an overview of the bill and stood for questions.
The Chairperson invited the Oral Proponents to speak.
Robert Cooper, Executive Director of the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH), speaking as a proponent, stated although there are some existing provisions in the current state statutes affirming elements associated to KCDHH, they have been found not to be sufficient. Having the authority to create regulations and rules is necessary to effectuate KCDHH's ability to carry out its purpose as well as the ability to set registration fees and/or develop necessary support to strengthen the interpreting field such as endorsements for specialized skills. This bill would also allow KCDHH to conduct fingerprinting and background checks of interpreters and serve as a centralized point for individual agencies, making it easier to access interpreters in most instances. This bill does not seek new funding but a means of self-support and measurable ability to develop, expand and create additional communication access services.(Attachment 3)
Proponent Chriz Dally, Chair of Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, explained KCDHH is a place of expertise and functions as an advocacy and coordinating agency to best serve D/HH people by working to advocate for and facilitate equal and equitable access to a variety of comprehensive services that are publicly available or in need of being developed. This bill will update statutes in need of being updated and it will clarify a few areas where there are currently conflicts or differing interpretations on who has authority in meeting the Commission's obligations. They have asked the Attorney General for clarification but have not received a response and that is why we are asking for passage of this bill.(Attachment 4)
Kim Anderson, President, Kansas Association of the Deaf, Inc. (KAD), proponent, stated that the Kansas Association of the Deaf has steadfastly and resolutely pursued its mission to preserve, protect and promote the civil, human and linguistic rights of Deaf Kansas. Passage of SB230 will strengthen protections for marginalized Deaf Kansans because it will reinforce and strengthen the current statutes authorizing KCDHH to maintain strict oversight of interpreters' adherence to professional ethics, as well as assuring safe and reliable communication access that impacts the physical, psychological, and financial well-being of Deaf Kansans.(Attachment 5)
Stacey Storme, Nationally Certified ASL/English Interpreter and KUEC ASL & Deaf Studies Program Director, spoke in support of SB230. As interpreters, they find themselves in aspects of people's lives that range from intimate and private to public events. Communication between individuals is always embedded in context and shared experiences. Decisions must be made about meaning, intent, consequence, delivery and more. It is crucial that interpreters are held to the utmost confidence, ethics and standards. Passage of this bill will grant KCDHH the authority to do this work in the best interest of our communities.(Attachment 6)
Robert Maile, Ph.D. supports SB230 as it represents a next logical initiative on the road to barrier-free communication access for all Kansas citizens. The reason he moved to Kansas is the unique collaboration between and among a proactive deaf community with good leadership, cooperating service providers, and enlightened legislative support that has elevated awareness of deafness related issues and supported initiatives to address identified needs. Implementation of this bill will enable the progress evident in some jurisdictions around the state to become common practice statewide.(Attachment 7)
Laura White, a Kansas citizen, spoke in favor of this bill. Living with dual sensory loss has created many obstacles in staying independent. She would not have been here if it wasn't for the service of a Support Service Provider (SSP) which is part of the Communication Access Services in this bill. With this service being developed and provided, it would open a new door to independence for her as well as others.(Attachment 8)
Written testimony in support of the bill was provided by:
Bonnie Goben, ASL Connections (Attachment 9)
Susie Ternes, Executive Director and Kris Pedersen, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (Attachment 10)
Kester Horn-March, KSD Bilingual Specialist (Attachment 11)
David J. Cook, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, University of Kansas Edwards Campus (Attachment 12)
Leonard Hall, Attorney and KCDHH Commission Member (Attachment 13)
Robin Olson, ASL/English Interpreter (Attachment 14)
Matt Gwynn, Certified Deaf Interpreter (Attachment 15)
Georgette Sullivan, Private Citizen (Attachment 16)
Sandra Stoffel, Private Citizen (Attachment 17)
Senator Barbara Bollier ask for an explanation of the process of how an interpreter's registration could be denied or revoked if an individual has been found incompetent or negligent in the practice of interpreting, what is the expected fee for this service and why religious institutions were exempt. Robert Cooper responded that an individual takes a proficiency exam and a performance exam to become registered. New interpreters are tested yearly, and once certified testing is repeated every five years. Suggested fees will probably be $100 every 2 years. As to religious events being exempt from requiring a certified interpreter, in the spirit of the American Disabilities Act and the Kansas Anti-discriminatory Act, they do not go into a home of worship.
The Hearing was concluded and the meeting adjourned at 2:37 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2020.
