In a ceremonial signing on October 25, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm reinforced the importance of legislation that requires the use of qualified sign language interpreters who possess state or national certification in all accommodations required under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), making the scope of Michigan's law comparable to the federal law. Approximately 1.4 million Michigan citizens are deaf or hard of hearing.

"We're ending the confusion, frustration, and errors that are so often experienced by the deaf and hard of hearing in important life situations due to misinterpreted information," said Granholm. "Equal access to accurate communication is a basic civil right of us all."

Under Public Act 23 (Senate Bill 25) and Public Act 24 (House Bill 4208) employers, state and local governments, and businesses providing a variety of services to the public are now obligated to provide for effective communication. Such entities include public and private schools and colleges; doctors' offices, hospitals and pharmacies; banks, hotels, restaurants and theatres. Reasonable notice is required if a qualified interpreter is needed.

PAs 23 and 24 amend the Deaf Persons' Interpreters Act (PA 204 of 1982) which limited the application of interpreter standards to court and administrative hearings. PA 23 now defines a "qualified" interpreter as a person who is certified through the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or by the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH) in the Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

"I'm pleased to sign legislation that sets universal standards of excellence for qualified interpreters and protects our citizens from unqualified practitioners," Granholm said.

If an entity willfully fails to provide an interpreter when one is required or an unqualified interpreter is provided, the business or entity may be subject to a civil fine. Individuals who misrepresent themselves as qualified interpreters would be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine. Individuals who violate the law are subject to rejection of their application for certification, or revocation, suspension, or limitation of certification.

PA 24 grants rulemaking authority to the DODHH, including establishing rules on minimum credential requirements and levels, minimum standards of practice, and continuing education. Rules must be coordinated with the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education for the purpose of increasing interpreter qualifications, improving educational services to deaf and hard of hearing students, increasing the supply of qualified interpreters by promoting interpreting as a profession, and increasing the number of training programs.

With this legislation, Michigan becomes one of only a few states to recognize the interpreting field for the skills and credentials it requires and make qualified interpreters mandatory in a broader range of situations.

"This brings significant job growth opportunities to the state," said Keith W. Cooley, director of DLEG. "We're already in short supply of qualified interpreters and the demand for services is growing."

Currently there are approximately 500 state or nationally certified interpreters in Michigan; approximately 30 percent may not be certified at all.

The signing was witnessed by representatives of the governor-appointed Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Council, DODHH staff, the Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD), MSD staff and students, the Michigan Deaf Association, the Michigan Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, the Self Help for Independency in Michigan Equalizing the DeafBlind, and Michigan Coalition for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, among others. Senate Bill 25 and identical bill, House Bill 4208 were sponsored by Senator John Gleason (District 27, Genesee County) and Representative Dudley Spade (District 57, Lenawee County) respectively. Legislation went into effect June 28, 2007.