WEST VIRGINIA CODE











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WVC 5 - 14 - 5

§5-14-5. Powers and duties of the commission; information

clearinghouse; coordination of interpreters; outreach

programs; seminars and training sessions.

(a) The commission shall maintain a clearinghouse of

information, the purpose of which is to aid hearing-impaired

persons and others in obtaining appropriate services or information

about such services, including, but not limited to, education,

communication (including interpreters), group home facilities,

independent living skills, recreational facilities, employment,

vocational training, health and mental health services, substance

abuse and other services necessary to assure their ability to

function in society. The commission shall consult existing public

and private agencies and organizations in compiling and maintaining

the clearinghouse.

(b) The commission shall establish, maintain and coordinate a

statewide service to provide courts, state and local legislative

bodies and others with a list of qualified and certified

interpreters for the deaf and a list of qualified and certified

teachers of American sign language.

(c) The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human

Resources shall promulgate rules pursuant to article three, chapter

twenty-nine-a of this code for the state quality assurance

evaluation, including the establishment of required qualifications

and ethical standards for interpreters, the approval of

interpreters, the monitoring and investigation of interpreters and the suspension and revocation of approvals. The commission may

conduct interpreter evaluations and collect and expend funds with

regard thereto.

(d) The commission shall develop an outreach program to

familiarize the public with the rights and needs of

hearing-impaired people and of available services.

(e) The commission shall investigate the condition of the

hearing-impaired in this state with particular attention to those

who are aged, homeless, needy, victims of rubella and victims of

abuse or neglect. It shall determine the means the state possesses

for establishing group homes for its hearing-impaired citizens and

the need for additional facilities. The commission shall also

determine the advisability and necessity of providing services to

the multihandicapped hearing-impaired.





Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2015 Regular Session

The WV Code Online is an unofficial copy of the annotated WV Code, provided as a convenience. It has NOT been edited for publication, and is not in any way official or authoritative.