As used in sections 209.285 to 209.339, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms mean:

(1) “American sign language”, a visual-gestural system of communication that has its own syntax, rhetoric and grammar. American sign language is recognized, accepted and used by many deaf Americans. This native language represents concepts rather than words;

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(2) “Board”, the Missouri board for certification of interpreters, established within the commission in section 209.287;

(3) “Certification”, a document issued by the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing declaring that the holder is qualified to practice interpreting at a disclosed level;

(4) “Commission”, the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing;

(5) “Committee”, the Missouri state committee of interpreters, established in section 209.319;

(6) “Conversion levels”, the process of granting levels of certification by the commission to individuals holding certification from another state or within another certification system in this state or another state;

(7) “Coordinator”, a staff person, hired by the executive director of the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing, who shall serve as coordinator for the Missouri interpreter certification system;

(8) “Deaf person”, any person who is not able to discriminate speech when spoken in a normal conversational tone regardless of the use of amplification devices;

(9) “Department”, the department of commerce and insurance;

(10) “Director”, the director of the division of professional registration;

(11) “Division”, the division of professional registration;

(12) “Executive director”, the executive director of the Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing;

(13) “Interpreter”, any person who offers to render interpreting services implying that he or she is trained, and experienced in interpreting, and holds a current, valid certification and license to practice interpreting in this state; provided that a telecommunications operator providing deaf relay service or a person providing operator services for the deaf shall not be considered to be an interpreter;

(14) “Interpreter trainer”, a person, certified and licensed by the state of Missouri as an interpreter, who trains new interpreters in the translating of spoken English or written concepts to any necessary specialized vocabulary used by a deaf consumer. Necessary specialized vocabularies include, but are not limited to, American sign language, Pidgin Signed English, oral, tactile sign and language deficient skills;

(15) “Interpreting”, the translating of English spoken or written concepts to any necessary specialized vocabulary used by a deaf person or the translating of a deaf person’s specialized vocabulary to English spoken or written concepts; provided that a telecommunications operator providing deaf relay service or a person providing operator services for the deaf shall not be considered to be interpreting. Necessary specialized vocabularies include, but are not limited to, American sign language, Pidgin Signed English, oral, tactile sign and language deficient skills;

(16) “Language deficient”, mode of communication used by deaf individuals who lack crucial language components, including, but not limited to, vocabulary, language concepts, expressive skills, language skills and receptive skills;

(17) “Missouri commission for the deaf”, Missouri commission for the deaf and hard of hearing established in section 161.400;

(18) “Oral”, mode of communication having characteristics of speech, speech reading and residual hearing as a primary means of communication using situational and culturally appropriate gestures, without the use of sign language;

(19) “Pidgin Signed English”, a mode of communication having characteristics of American sign language;

(20) “Practice of interpreting”, rendering or offering to render or supervise those who render to individuals, couples, groups, organizations, institutions, corporations, schools, government agencies or the general public any interpreting service involving the translation of any mode of communication used by a deaf person to spoken English or of spoken English to a mode of communication used by a deaf person;

(21) “Tactile sign”, mode of communication, used by deaf and blind individuals, using any one or a combination of the following: tactile sign, constricted space sign or notetaking.