TITLE 5

Businesses and Professions

CHAPTER 5-71

Licensure of Interpreters for the Deaf

SECTION 5-71-5



   § 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 rule-making 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 paragraph 5-71-5(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.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1996, ch. 151, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 77, art. 14, § 27; P.L.

2006, ch. 14, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 16, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 261, §

1; P.L. 2006, ch. 277, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 39, § 24; P.L.

2009, ch. 310, § 43; P.L. 2015, ch. 164, § 2; P.L. 2015, ch. 188,

§ 2.)