Requires approval by the Rhode Island commission the deaf and hard of hearing before any reduction in American Sign Language interpreter services in hospitals and other public service facilities.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would create a new requirement that hospitals and other public service facilities in Rhode Island get approval from a specific state agency — the Rhode Island Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing — before they can reduce their American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter services. Currently, these facilities may be able to cut back on interpreter services without outside review or approval. This bill would add a formal oversight step to that process.

The bill primarily affects two groups: deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who rely on ASL interpreters to communicate with healthcare providers and other public services, and the hospitals and public facilities that provide those services. For deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and service users, the bill is intended to help protect access to communication assistance, which can be critical in medical settings. For hospitals and facilities, it means they would need to seek and receive approval from the state commission before making cuts to interpreter staffing or services.

The Rhode Island Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a state body that focuses on issues affecting the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Under this bill, that commission would gain a formal decision-making role over whether reductions in ASL interpreter services are appropriate. Currently, the bill has been referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee and has been recommended to be held for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward in the legislative process.