HomeMy WebLinkAbout1ICITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 22, 2021 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLY BILL 1169, CA AIMS
(ASL INTERPRETERS IN MEDICAL SETTINGS)
FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager
BY: Anthony J. Mejia, MMC, City Clerk
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the issuance of a letter of support to the author(s) of Assembly Bill 1169, CA AIMS
(ASL Interpreters in Medical Settings).
BACKGROUND:
At the request of Councilmember Middleton, the City Council is requested to consider
whether to issue a letter of support for Assembly Bill 1169, CA AIMS (ASL Interpreters in
Medical Settings). AB 1169, introduced by Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia would enact
the following changes to existing law:
• This bill would require the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), before
January 1, 2024, to conduct a study, with the collaboration of professionals in the
field of sign language interpretation and members of the deaf community, to
establish and implement guidelines pursuant to which it shall determine which
testing organizations, agencies, or educational institutions will be approved to
administer tests for certification of interpreters in medical settings for individuals who
are deaf or hard of hearing.
• This bill would prohibit a general acute care hospital from including a sign language
interpreter on their internet website list unless the interpreter or transliterator meets
the requirements developed by CDPH. ·
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact as a result of issuing this letter of support.
Justi ~ ~
City Manager
Attachments:
1. LetterofSupport ITEMNO. J I
2. Assembly Bill 1169 Fact Sheet
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ATTACHMENT 1
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April 22, 2021
The Honorable Eduardo Garcia
· State Assembly Member, 56 th District
State Capitol Building, Room 4140
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Assembly Bill 1169, CA AIMS (ASL Interpreters in Medical Settings) -SUPPORT
Dear Assembly Member Garcia:
On behalf of the City of Palm Springs, we are writing to inform you of our support for Assembly
Bill 1169, CA AIMS (ASL Interpreters in Medical Settings), which would create guidelines to
ensure sign language interpreters are qualified to interpret effectively and accurately within
medical settings. We thank you for authoring this legislation and urge members of the Assembly
Health Committee and Business and Professions Committee to vote "AYE."
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, there are approximately 3 7 million deaf
and hard of hearing people living in the United States. It is estimated that 1 in 10 live with some
degree of hearing loss and over 2.2 million are considered deaf. The Office of Deaf Access
estimates 3 million deaf and hard of hearing persons reside in California. Unfortunately, the State
of California does not require sign language interpreters who facilitate translation for the deaf
and hard of hearing within healthcare settings to be certified or licensed. In many instances, the
patient is relied on to bring a family member, often a minor child, or friend to interpret for him or
her. Interpreters and translators are essential for effective and timely communication between
patient and medical professionals. Untrained interpreters are more likely to make errors, violate
confidentiality, and add to the risk of poor outcomes, which increases the risk of patient
dissatisfaction, medical errors, unnecessary testing, poor adherence, and malpractice exposure.
AB 1169, would require the California Department of Public Health, before January 1, 2024, to
conduct a study, with the collaboration of professionals in the field of sign language
interpretation and members of the deaf community, to establish and implement guidelines
pursuant to which it shall determine which testing organizations, agencies, or educational
institutions will be approved to administer tests for certification of interpreters in medical
settings for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
For these reasons, the City of Palm Springs supports Assembly Bill 1169 and urge members of
the Legislature to support the same. Please do not hesitate to contact the City Manager, Justin
Clifton, at (760) 322-8362 or email city manager@palmspringsca.gov if you need additional
information.
Sincerely,
cc: Assembly Member Chad Mayes, District 42
Senator Melissa A. Melendez, District 28
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ATTACHMENT 2
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Asscmblymembcr Eduardo Garcia, 56'11 Assembly District
AB 1169-CA AIMS (ASL Interpreters in Medical Settings) Act
Issue
The State of California does not require sign
language interpreters who facilitate translation for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing within healthcare
settings to be certified or licensed. Interpreters and
translators are essential for effective and timely
communication between patient and medical
professionals. Untrained interpreters are more likely
to make errors, violate confidentiality, and add to the
risk of poor outcomes, which increases the risk of
patient dissatisfaction, medical errors, unnecessary
testing, poor adherence, and malpractice exposure.
Background
According to the National Center for Health
Statistics, there are approximately 3 7 million deaf
and hard of hearing people living in the United
States. It is estimated that 1 in 10 live with some
degree of hearing loss and over 2.2 million are
considered deaf. The Office of Deaf Access
estimates 3 million deaf and hard of hearing persons
reside in California.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that
title II entities (State and local governments) and title
III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations
that serve the public) communicate effectively with
people who have communication disabilities.
Historically, many covered entities have relied on a
person who uses sign language to bring a family
member, often a minor child, or friend to interpret for
him or her. These people often lack the impartiality
and specialized vocabulary needed to interpret
effectively and accurately. Professional interpreters
are superior to the usual practice of using ad hoc
interpreters (i.e., family, friends, or untrained staff).
Existing law requires a general acute care hospital to
take a variety of actions relating to the provision of
language assistance services to patients with
language or communication barriers. This includes
Updated: 4/9/2021
preparing and maintaining a list of interpreters who
have been identified as proficient in sign language
who have the ability to translate the names of body
parts, injuries, and symptoms, but not the ability to
provide high-quality interpretation in the medical
field.
Bill Summary
This bill would require the California Department of
Public Health (CDPH), before January 1, 2024, to
conduct a study -with the collaboration of
professionals in the field of sign language
interpretation and members of the d/Deaf community
- , to establish and implement guidelines pursuant to
which it shall determine which testing organizations,
agencies, or educational institutions will be approved
to administer tests for certification of interpreters in
medical settings for individuals who are deaf or hard
of hearing.
This bill would prohibit a general acute care hospital
from including a sign language interpreter on their
internet website list unless the interpreter or
transliterator meets the requirements developed by
CDPH.
For More Information
Jose Sanchez I Jose.Sanchez@asm.ca.gov
Capitol Office (916) 319-2056
Kimberly Barraza I Kimberly.Barraza@asm.ca.gov
Coachella District Office (760) 347-2360
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