Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 71
Licensure of Interpreters for the Deaf

§ 5-71-5. Board of examiners — Duties and powers — Meetings — Compensation of members.

(a) The department, with the assistance of the board, shall administer, coordinate, and enforce the provisions of this chapter; evaluate the qualifications of applicants; and may issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, administer oaths, and investigate persons engaging in practices that violate the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The department shall conduct hearings and shall keep records and minutes that are necessary for the orderly dispatch of business.

(c) The department shall hold public hearings regarding rules and regulations.

(d) The department in consultation with the board, in accordance with the rulemaking provisions of the “administrative procedures act” (chapter 35 of title 42), shall adopt responsible rules and regulations and may amend or repeal those rules and regulations. Following their adoption, the rules and regulations shall govern and control the professional conduct of every person who holds a license to practice interpreting or transliterating in the state of Rhode Island.

(e) Regular meetings of the board shall be held, and special meetings may be held, upon the call of the chairperson as necessary to deal with such issues as violations of this chapter; provided, that at least one regular meeting is held each calendar year.

(f) The conferral or enumeration of specific powers in this chapter shall not be construed as a limitation of the general powers conferred by the section. No member of the board shall be liable to civil action for any act performed in good faith in the performance of his or her duties as prescribed by this chapter.

(g) Board members shall serve on an honorable basis without compensation.

(h) The board may request legal advice and assistance from the appropriate legal officer.

(i) The board shall conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six (6) months of their appointment. The course shall be developed and conducted by the chair of the board, approved by the department, and shall include instruction in the subject areas of this chapter, and chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38, and the board’s rules and regulations. The director of the department of health shall, within ninety (90) days, prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38.

(j) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the board shall approve and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, licenses considered and their dispositions, rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved or modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative, or technical support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings, and remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the authority of the board; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to the provisions of subsection (i); a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the general assembly and the secretary of state’s websites as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of health shall be responsible for the enforcement of this provision.