AB589,10,108 (d) The applicant submits evidence satisfactory to the board of the applicant's
9successful completion of American sign language linguistics I and II or substantially
10equivalent coursework, as determined by the board.
AB589,10,1711 (e) The applicant provides to the board letters of recommendation satisfactory
12to the board from at least 2 individuals who hold a sign language interpreter —
13advanced deaf license, a certified deaf interpreter certification issued by the Registry
14of Interpreters for the Deaf, or an equivalent certification as determined by the
15board. Taken in the aggregate, the letters of recommendation shall verify that the
16applicant has successfully completed at least 25 hours of observing interpretation
17services provided to clients.
AB589,10,21 18(4) Sign language interpreter — advanced deaf. The board shall grant a sign
19language interpreter — advanced deaf license to an applicant who submits an
20application on a form provided by the board, pays the fee determined by the
21department under s. 440.03 (9) (a), and satisfies all of the following:
AB589,10,2322 (a) The applicant holds at least an associate degree or satisfies an alternative
23pathway for education, as determined by the board.
AB589,11,3
1(b) The applicant holds a certified deaf interpreter certification issued by the
2Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or an equivalent certification, as determined by
3the board.
AB589,11,7 4471.045 Exam administration in Wisconsin. The department of health
5services shall administer in this state the performance examinations of the Board for
6Evaluation of Interpreters, unless the board approves another administrator of the
7examinations.
AB589,11,9 8471.05 Scope of license. The board shall promulgate rules defining the scope
9of practice of each license granted under s. 471.04, subject to the following:
AB589,11,14 10(1) Sign language interpreter — intermediate hearing. (a) A sign language
11interpreter — intermediate hearing licensee may not provide interpretation services
12to clients in any medical setting, as determined by the board, unless he or she is team
13interpreting with a sign language interpreter — advanced hearing or sign language
14interpreter — advanced deaf.
AB589,11,1715 (b) A sign language interpreter — intermediate hearing licensee may not
16provide interpretation services to clients in any legal or mental health setting, as
17determined by the board.
AB589,11,23 18(2) Interpretation in legal settings. No sign language interpreter —
19advanced hearing, sign language interpreter — intermediate deaf, or sign language
20interpreter — advanced deaf licensee may provide interpretation services to a client
21in any legal setting, as determined by the board, unless he or she is also certified,
22including a provisional certification, by the supreme court to act as a qualified
23interpreter in court proceedings under s. 885.38 (2).
AB589,12,3
1471.053 License renewal; continuing education. (1) The renewal date for
2a license granted under s. 471.04 is specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a) 68c., and the renewal
3fee is determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a).
AB589,12,8 4(2) If the initial license of an applicant for license renewal required the
5applicant to hold a certification issued by the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters,
6Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or another organization, the applicant shall
7submit evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant's certification that is
8required for the license has not been revoked or invalidated or otherwise expired.
AB589,12,13 9(3) The board shall promulgate rules requiring each applicant for license
10renewal to submit to the board evidence satisfactory to the board of the applicant's
11completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education during the 2-year period
12immediately preceding the renewal date specified under s. 440.08 (2) (a) 68c., subject
13to the following:
AB589,12,1714 (a) For each renewal period, up to 5 hours of continuing education may be
15satisfied by community volunteering in the deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind
16community or with a professional sign language interpretation community
17organization.
AB589,12,1918 (b) For each renewal period, up to 5 hours of continuing education may be
19satisfied by mentoring, as determined by the board.
AB589,12,2320 (c) Continuing education hours earned through workshops, conferences, and
21college courses shall have been approved as continuing education by the Registry of
22Interpreters for the Deaf or the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters for purposes of
23certifications issued by those entities.
AB589,13,224 (d) An applicant for renewal who obtained his or her initial license under s.
25471.04 within the 12 months immediately preceding the renewal date specified

1under s. 440.08 (2) (a) 68c. need not satisfy the continuing education requirements
2under this subsection.
AB589,13,53 (e) On a case-by-case basis, the board may grant an extension of time to satisfy,
4or a waiver of, some or all of the continuing education requirements under this
5subsection.
AB589,13,11 6471.057 Reciprocal licensure. (1) Upon application and payment of the fee
7specified in s. 440.05 (2), the board may grant the appropriate category of license
8under s. 471.04 to an individual who holds a license or other credential granted by
9a governmental authority in a jurisdiction outside this state that qualifies the
10applicant to provide interpretation services to clients under that category of license
11granted by the board.
AB589,13,14 12(2) The board may enter into a reciprocal agreement with the officials of a
13jurisdiction outside this state for licensing interpreters and may grant a license to
14an individual licensed in that jurisdiction according to the terms of that agreement.
AB589,13,15 15(3) The board shall promulgate rules implementing this section.
AB589,13,20 16471.06 Identification cards. The board shall promulgate rules requiring all
17interpreters licensed under s. 471.04 to have an identification card with them at all
18times while providing interpretation services to clients for compensation. The board
19shall issue the identification card. The identification card issued to a licensee for
20purposes of this section shall satisfy all of the following conditions:
AB589,13,21 21(1) Include all of the following:
AB589,13,2222 (a) The interpreter's full name.
AB589,13,2523 (b) The interpreter's licensure category, whether sign language interpreter —
24intermediate hearing, sign language interpreter — advanced hearing, sign language
25interpreter — intermediate deaf, or sign language interpreter — advanced deaf.
AB589,14,1
1(c) Any applicable licensure restriction.
AB589,14,42 (d) A statement whether the interpreter is certified by the supreme court to act
3as a qualified interpreter in court proceedings under s. 885.38 (2) and whether that
4certification is provisional.
AB589,14,55 (e) Any other information required by the board.
AB589,14,8 6(2) Be color-coded based on the interpreter's licensure category identified
7under sub. (1) (b). An intermediate license shall be yellow. An advanced license shall
8be green.
AB589,14,12 9471.065 Professional conduct. The board shall promulgate rules governing
10the professional conduct of individuals licensed under s. 471.04. The rules shall
11incorporate the rules of professional conduct adopted by the National Association of
12the Deaf, or its successor, and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
AB589,14,15 13471.07 Memorandum of understanding advisory committee. (1) In this
14section, “memorandum of understanding” means the memorandum of
15understanding established under s. 471.02 (3) (a).
AB589,14,17 16(2) The secretary shall appoint a committee under s. 440.042, consisting of the
17following members:
AB589,14,1818 (a) One member of the board, appointed by the board.
AB589,14,2019 (b) One representative of the department of public instruction, appointed by
20the state superintendent of public instruction.
AB589,14,2221 (c) One member of the deaf and hard-of-hearing education council, appointed
22by that council.
AB589,14,2323 (d) One interpreter licensed under s. 471.04, appointed by the board.
AB589,15,3
1(e) One individual who is licensed by the department of public instruction as
2an educational interpreter, appointed by the state superintendent of public
3instruction.
AB589,15,64 (f) One member of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind community who
5attended public schools and received the services of an educational interpreter
6licensed by the department of public instruction, appointed by the board.
AB589,15,87 (g) One member of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind community who
8is a parent of a child attending public school, appointed by the board.
AB589,15,9 9(3) The committee appointed under sub. (1) shall do all of the following:
AB589,15,1110 (a) On behalf of the board negotiate, develop, and execute the memorandum of
11understanding established under s. 471.02 (3) (a).
AB589,15,1512 (b) Meet at least once every 2 years to review the memorandum of
13understanding established under s. 471.02 (3) (a) and make recommendations to the
14board and the department of public instruction concerning changes to the
15memorandum of understanding.
AB589,15,19 16471.08 Disciplinary actions and proceedings. (1) Subject to the rules
17promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may make investigations and conduct
18hearings to determine whether a violation of this chapter or any rule promulgated
19under this chapter has occurred.
AB589,15,23 20(2) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may
21reprimand an interpreter licensed under s. 471.04 or deny, limit, suspend, or revoke
22a license granted under s. 471.04 if the board finds that an applicant for a license or
23a licensee has done any of the following:
AB589,15,2524 (a) Intentionally made a material misstatement in an application for a license
25or license renewal.
AB589,16,3
1(b) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, been arrested or convicted of
2an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the provision of
3interpretation services to clients.
AB589,16,64 (c) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.34, provided interpretation services
5to a client while the interpreter's ability to do so was impaired by alcohol or other
6drugs.
AB589,16,97 (d) Been adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court of competent
8jurisdiction. A certified copy of the record of an adjudication of incompetency is
9conclusive evidence of incompetence under this paragraph.
AB589,16,1010 (e) Advertised in a manner that is false or misleading.
AB589,16,1111 (f) Obtained or attempted to obtain compensation through fraud or deceit.
AB589,16,1212 (g) Failed to cooperate with the board in an investigation under this section.
AB589,16,1413 (h) Aided another person in violating this chapter or any rule promulgated
14under this chapter.
AB589,16,1715 (i) Violated this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter or violated
16any other law of this state, any law of another state, or any federal law that
17substantially relates to the provision of interpretation services to clients.
AB589,16,20 18(3) In addition to or in lieu of a reprimand or other action under sub. (2), the
19board may establish by rule other penalties, including a forfeiture not to exceed
20$1,000 for each violation, for a violation under sub. (2).
AB589,16,23 21471.09 Penalty. A person who violates this chapter or any rule promulgated
22under this chapter may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more
23than 6 months or both.
AB589,17,3
1471.095 Injunction. (1) The board may conduct investigations, hold
2hearings, and make findings as to whether a person has engaged in a practice or used
3a title without a license required under s. 471.02.
AB589,17,7 4(2) If, after holding a public hearing, the board determines that a person has
5engaged in a practice or used a title without a license required under s. 471.02, the
6board may issue a special order enjoining the person from the continuation of the
7practice or use of the title.
AB589,17,11 8(3) In lieu of holding a public hearing, if the board has reason to believe that
9a person has engaged in a practice or used a title without a license required under
10s. 471.02, the board may petition the circuit court for a temporary restraining order
11or an injunction as provided in ch. 813.
AB589,17,16 12(4) (a) Any person who violates a special order issued under sub. (2) may be
13required to forfeit not more than $10,000 for each offense. Each day of continued
14violation constitutes a separate offense. The board, department, attorney general,
15or any district attorney may commence an action in the name of the state to recover
16a forfeiture under this paragraph.
AB589,17,1917 (b) Any person who violates a temporary restraining order or an injunction
18issued by a court upon a petition under sub. (3) may be fined not less than $25 nor
19more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both.
AB589,6 20Section 6. 905.015 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB589,17,2421 905.015 (2) (intro.) In addition to the privilege under sub. (1), a person who is
22licensed as an interpreter under s. 440.032 (3) 471.04 may not disclose any aspect of
23a confidential communication facilitated by the interpreter unless one of the
24following conditions applies:
AB589,7 25Section 7 . Nonstatutory provisions.
AB589,18,2
1(1) Definition. In subsections (2) to (7), “board" means the sign language
2interpreters examining board.
AB589,18,73 (2) Credentials of initial members. Notwithstanding section 15.405 (18) (b)
42. or 3. of the statutes, the initial members appointed to the board under section
515.405 (18) (b) 2. or 3. of the statutes need not be licensed under section 471.04 of the
6statutes, but shall be sign language interpreters licensed under section 440.032,
72015 stats.
AB589,18,138 (3) Staggering of terms. Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for the
9members of the board under section 15.405 (18) (b) (intro.) of the statutes, 2 of the
10initial members shall be appointed for terms expiring on July 1, 2020; 2 of the initial
11members shall be appointed for terms expiring on July 1, 2021; 2 of the initial
12members shall be appointed for terms expiring on July 1, 2022; and one of the initial
13members shall be appointed for a term expiring on July 1, 2023.
AB589,18,1414 (4) Provisional appointments.
AB589,18,2315 (a) Notwithstanding the requirement of advice and consent of the senate under
16section 15.08 (1) of the statutes, the initial members of the board nominated by the
17governor may be provisionally appointed by the governor, subject to later senate
18confirmation. Any provisional appointment shall be in full force until withdrawn by
19the governor or acted upon by the senate, and if confirmed by the senate shall
20continue for the remainder of the unexpired term of the member and until a successor
21is appointed and qualifies. A provisional appointee may exercise all the powers and
22duties of board membership to which the person is appointed during the time in
23which the appointee qualifies.
AB589,19,324 (b) A provisional appointment made under paragraph (a) that is withdrawn by
25the governor shall, upon withdrawal, lapse and create a vacancy for provisional

1appointment of another initial member of the board. Any provisional appointment
2made under paragraph (a) that is rejected by the senate shall, upon rejection, lapse
3and create a vacancy for provisional appointment of another initial board member.
AB589,19,44 (5) Transitional licensure.
AB589,19,125 (a) Sign language interpreter — intermediate hearing. On the effective date of
6this paragraph, a sign language interpreter who, immediately prior to the effective
7date of this paragraph, held a valid 151 Restricted License issued by the department
8of safety and professional services, is considered to be a licensed sign language
9interpreter — intermediate hearing under section 471.04 (1) of the statutes, and the
10department of safety and professional services shall issue a license to the individual
11under section 471.04 (1) of the statutes notwithstanding the fee and other
12application requirements under that section of the statutes.
AB589,19,2013 (b) Sign language interpreter — advanced hearing. On the effective date of this
14paragraph, a sign language interpreter who, immediately prior to the effective date
15of this paragraph, held a valid 150 Renewable License issued by the department of
16safety and professional services, is considered to be a licensed sign language
17interpreter — advanced hearing under section 471.04 (2) of the statutes, and the
18department of safety and professional services shall issue a license to the individual
19under section 471.04 (2) of the statutes notwithstanding the fee and other
20application requirements under that section of the statutes.
AB589,20,421 (c) Sign language interpreter — intermediate deaf. On the effective date of this
22paragraph, a sign language interpreter who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind
23and who, immediately prior to the effective date of this paragraph, held a valid 151
24Restricted License issued by the department of safety and professional services, is
25considered to be a licensed sign language interpreter — intermediate deaf under

1section 471.04 (3) of the statutes, and the department of safety and professional
2services shall issue a license to the individual under section 471.04 (3) of the statutes
3notwithstanding the fee and other application requirements under that section of the
4statutes.
AB589,20,135 (d) Sign language interpreter — advanced deaf. On the effective date of this
6paragraph, a sign language interpreter who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind
7and who, immediately prior to the effective date of this paragraph, held a valid 150
8Renewable License issued by the department of safety and professional services, is
9considered to be a licensed sign language interpreter — advanced deaf under section
10471.04 (4) of the statutes, and the department of safety and professional services
11shall issue a license to the individual under section 471.04 (4) of the statutes
12notwithstanding the fee and other application requirements under that section of the
13statutes.
AB589,20,1414 (6) Other transitional provisions.
AB589,20,1515 (a) Department of safety and professional services.
AB589,20,22 161. `Pending matters.' Each matter pending with the department of safety and
17professional services on the effective date of this subdivision that is primarily related
18to the regulation of sign language interpreters, as determined by the secretary of
19safety and professional services, is transferred to the board and all materials
20submitted to or actions taken by the department of safety and professional services
21with respect to the pending matter are considered as having been submitted to or
22taken by the board.
AB589,21,7 232. `Rules and orders.' All rules promulgated by the department of safety and
24professional services that are primarily related to the regulation of sign language
25interpreters, as determined by the secretary of safety and professional services, and

1that are in effect on the effective date of this subdivision remain in effect until their
2specified expiration dates or until amended or repealed by the board. All orders
3issued by the department of safety and professional services that are primarily
4related to the regulation of sign language interpreters, as determined by the
5secretary of safety and professional services, and that are in effect on the effective
6date of this subdivision remain in effect until their specified expiration dates or until
7modified or rescinded by the board.
AB589,21,88 (b) Elimination of the sign language interpreter council.
AB589,21,11 91. `Assets and liabilities.' On the effective date of this subdivision, the assets
10and liabilities of the sign language interpreter council become the assets and
11liabilities of the board.
AB589,21,14 122. `Tangible personal property.' On the effective date of this subdivision, all
13tangible personal property, including records, of the sign language interpreter
14council is transferred to the board.
AB589,21,19 153. `Contracts.' All contracts entered into by the sign language interpreter
16council in effect on the effective date of this subdivision remain in effect and are
17transferred to the board. The board shall carry out all obligations under such a
18contract unless modified or rescinded by the board to the extent allowed under the
19contract.
AB589,21,24 204. `Pending matters.' Each matter pending with the sign language interpreter
21council on the effective date of this subdivision is transferred to the board and all
22materials submitted to or actions taken by the sign language interpreter council with
23respect to the pending matter are considered as having been submitted to or taken
24by the board.
AB589,22,6
15. `Rules and orders.' All rules promulgated by the sign language interpreter
2council that are in effect on the effective date of this subdivision remain in effect until
3their specified expiration dates or until amended or repealed by the board. All orders
4issued by the sign language interpreter council that are in effect on the effective date
5of this subdivision remain in effect until their specified expiration dates or until
6modified or rescinded by the board.
AB589,22,157 (7) Emergency rules. The board may promulgate emergency rules under
8section 227.24 of the statutes necessary to implement this act. Notwithstanding
9section 227.24 (1) (c) and (2) of the statutes, emergency rules promulgated under this
10subsection remain in effect until July 1, 2019, or the date on which permanent rules
11take effect, whichever is sooner. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a) and (3) of the
12statutes, the board is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule
13under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the
14public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of
15emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection.
AB589,8 16Section 8 . Initial applicability.
AB589,22,1917 (1) Restricted license renewals. The treatment of section 440.032 (3) (b) 3.
18(by Section 4 ) of the statutes first applies retroactively to an individual holding a
19valid license under section 440.032 (3) (b) 1. or 2. of the statutes on August 31, 2017.
AB589,9 20Section 9. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the first day of the 7th
21month beginning after publication, except as follows:
AB589,22,2422 (1) Restricted license renewals. The treatment of section 440.032 (3) (b) 3.
23(by Section 4 ) of the statutes and Section 8 of this act take effect on the day after
24publication.
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