HB 2359

Abstract

Requires health care providers to work with health care interpreters from health care interpreter registry operated by Oregon Health Authority to provide interpretation services. Requires health professional regulatory boards, Department of Human Services and authority to adopt rules to enforce requirement. Provides exceptions. Requires interpretation service companies to only employ or contract with health care interpreters listed on health care registry, subject to exceptions. Requires Oregon Council on Health Care Interpreters to develop and approve standards for testing, qualification and certification of certain health care interpreters. Requires authority to train and certify or qualify health care interpreters and maintain central registry of certified or qualified health care interpreters. Requires coordinated care organizations to work with health care interpreters listed on health care interpreter registry. Makes certain health care interpreters subject workers for purposes of workers' compensation benefits. Declares emergency, effective on passage.