§ 20-1702. Duties and powers of Board.

A.  The State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom Interpreters shall:

1.  Determine and establish levels of interpreter or translator certifications and specialization certificates to meet the needs of a variety of court proceedings, as the Board deems necessary and appropriate;

2.  Conduct preliminary investigations to determine the qualifications of applicants seeking to attain the status of certified courtroom interpreter or translator;

3.  Conduct at least once a year, at a place and time to be published by reasonable notice as directed by the Supreme Court, an examination of those persons who seek to attain the status of certified courtroom interpreter or translator, or contract for such examination.  The Board shall also include an examination of interpreter or translator ethics as a condition of attaining the status of certified courtroom interpreter or translator;

4.  Recommend to the Supreme Court for official enrollment as certified courtroom interpreter or translator those persons who, on their examination, have established the requisite proficiency as set forth in Section 3 of this act;

5.  Conduct proceedings, on reasonable notice, the object of which are to recommend to the Supreme Court the suspension, cancellation, revocation, or reinstatement of the enrollment of a certified courtroom interpreter or translator or of the status of any acting courtroom interpreter or translator, regular or provisional, on the following grounds:

a.a final conviction of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude,

b.misrepresentation in obtaining licensure,

c.any violation of or noncompliance with any rule or directive of the Supreme Court,

d.fraud, gross incompetence, or gross or habitual neglect of duty,

e.engaging in the practice of courtroom interpreting or translating using a method for which the interpreter or translator is not certified,

f.engaging in the practice of courtroom interpreting or translating while certification is suspended,

g.nonpayment of renewal dues, or

h.failure to annually complete at least eight (8) hours of continuing education approved by the State Board of Examiners of Courtroom Interpreters;

6.  Adopt, with the approval of the Supreme Court, examination standards and rules governing enrollment, discipline, suspension, cancellation, and revocation proceedings and any other matter within the Board’s cognizance; and

7.  Keep a current roll of certified courtroom interpreters and a file on all disciplined certified courtroom interpreters, official or unofficial, regular or provisional.

B.  In all hearings or investigations on revocation, cancellation, or suspension of enrollment, each Board member shall be empowered to administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses, and take evidence anywhere in the state, after giving reasonable notice to the party whose status is sought to be affected.

Added by Laws 2005, c. 427, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2005.