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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to providing sign language interpreter services to |
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hospitals. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Title 4, Chapter 81.006, Human Resources Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 81.0061 to read as follows: |
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a) Sign Language Interpreter Service. In this section "Video |
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Remote Interpreter" service means a service that uses |
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videoconferencing, videophone or web-based video technologies to |
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access sign language interpreting services without an interpreter |
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on site. |
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b) The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, |
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Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, shall establish a |
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24-hour video remote interpreting (VRI) project through which Texas |
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hospitals may obtain VRI services in order to facilitate |
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communication with deaf patients and family members of deaf |
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patients. |
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c) The Commissioner of the Department of Assistive and |
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Rehabilitative Services shall adopt rules to implement this |
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section, including rules establishing the process by which |
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hospitals may elect to participate in the VRI project established |
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under this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |