(1)__An instructor recognized by the American Sign Language Teachers Association, or a comparable or successor organization recognized by the commissioner;

(2)__An interpreter certified by either the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner; or

(3)__An instructor of courses conducted through an accredited college, accredited university or accredited or approved high school or conducted by certification maintenance course sponsors approved by__the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner; and

5. Proof of education and training in the interpreting process.__Written proof of completion of at least 100 clock hours of instruction in the interpreting process, which must include instruction in deaf culture and the ethics of interpreting, conducted through an accredited college, accredited university or accredited or approved high school or conducted by certification maintenance course sponsors approved by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner. Credit may not be given for interpreting process clock hours that were completed prior to 5 years from the date of application.

Sec. 11. 32 MRSA §§1524-A and 1524-B are enacted to read:

§1524-A.__Requirements for licensure; limited deaf interpreter

To be eligible for licensure as a limited deaf interpreter under this chapter, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age and must provide the following:

1. High school diploma.__Proof of a high school diploma or the equivalent;

2. Sworn statement.__A sworn, signed statement that the applicant has read, understands and agrees to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or