ColoradoColorado board may study sign language interpreter services
The board may hire a researcher to study interpreter services, interview consumers and providers, and report findings and recommendations by July 1, 2028.
What it does
The board may hire an outside researcher to study sign language interpreter services in Colorado, including whether consumers need added protections.
If the board hires a researcher, the study must include accessible interviews and research on public safety, the profession, and other states’ rules. The researcher must report findings and recommendations to the board and division.
Argument forIf the board hires a researcher, the study could help show whether interpreter practices threaten public safety and how other states regulate the profession.
Argument againstBecause the board may choose not to hire a researcher, consumers could go without findings that help lawmakers weigh possible interpreter protections.
More detail
The board may hire an outside researcher to study sign language interpreter services. The study concerns interpreter services in Colorado for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind people. The board must consult with the division for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind. The board may enter the contract on or before July 1, 2027. This study provision and the division’s related coordination duty are repealed September 1, 2029.
A contracted researcher must follow study requirements and submit a final report. These requirements apply if the board contracts with a researcher to conduct the study. The study must include accessible interviews with interpreters, consumers, and language service companies. Interviewers must know Deaf culture and communicate effectively with the community. The study must gather information about possible public harm, the interpreter profession, and how other states regulate it. Interviews should include a range of people and experiences to the extent possible. The researcher must submit the final report by July 1, 2028.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 2Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- Jun 1Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Jun 1Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 7House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- May 5House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily
- May 4Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 1Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- Apr 30Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1109 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 23Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment D). Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1109, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 27Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human ServicesMinor
- Mar 24House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23House Committee of the Whole Amendment - Change from Lost to Passed
- Vote recorded AMD (H.001). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Mar 20House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1109 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1109 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to FinanceMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C). Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1109, as amended, to the Committee on Finance. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human ServicesIntroduced
Disability RightsConsumer Protection