BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1376
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( Without Reference to File )
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1376 (Roger Hernández)
As Amended September 6, 2013
2/3 vote
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|ASSEMBLY: | |(May 16, 2013) |SENATE: |31-1 |(September 12, 2013) |
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(vote not relevant)
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|COMMITTEE VOTE: |9-0 |(September 12, |RECOMMENDATION: |concur |
|(INS.) | |2013) | | |
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Original Committee Reference: JUD.
SUMMARY : Delays until March 1, 2014, a regulation adopted by the
Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) that requires medical
interpreters in the workers' compensation system to be certified.
The Senate amendments :
1)Delete the prior content of the bill.
2)Delay until March 1, 2014, regulations adopted by the DWC to
implement a provision of SB 863 (De León), Chapter 363, Statutes
2012, that require medical interpreters in the workers'
compensation system to be certified and specify how these
interpreters can become certified.
3)Provide that the bill is an urgency measure, to take effect
immediately upon enactment.
EXISTING LAW : Provides that, upon adoption of regulations by the
DWC, medical interpreters in the workers' compensation system must
be certified. An Emergency Regulation on this issue was adopted on
December 19, 2012, and a modified version of the regulation was
adopted as a permanent regulation, effective August 13, 2013.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill addressed the rules governing
AB 1376
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interpreters for use by all state agencies.
FISCAL EFFECT : This version of the bill was not referred to a
fiscal committee, however, the DWC indicates that it would not
result in increased costs.
Comments :
1)Purpose : According to proponents, Voters Injured At Work (VIAW),
the regulation adopted by the DWC was not able to include a
delayed implementation date that would allow interpreters
adequate time to comply with the specific certification
requirements allowed by the regulation. As a result, VIAW fears
that an insufficient number of certified interpreters will lead
to delays in obtaining medical treatment for injured workers who
require an interpreter to effectively communicate with their
physician.
2)Current regulation : The regulation that is currently in place,
which would be delayed upon this measure being signed by the
Governor, provides for three pathways for an interpreter to
become certified. First, an interpreter who is on the existing
State Personnel Board (SPB) list is automatically certified -
however, the SPB has not updated its list in several years, and
it is not "open" for new applicants at this time. An interpreter
can also seek certification by passing either the Certification
Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) exam, or the
National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters
(National Board) exams. Representatives of interpreters indicate
that it can take up to six months to navigate these certification
processes. The bill provides approximately six and a half months
from the effective date of the regulation for uncertified
interpreters to obtain the necessary certification.
Analysis Prepared by :Mark Rakich / INS. / (916) 319-2086
FN: 0002863