Committee advances study of ASL interpreter standards after testimony from Deaf community and advocates

Senator Sandra Danielson’s proposal to commission a study of American Sign Language interpreting services moved forward after extensive testimony from deaf and disability advocates, county officials and providers.

Danielson said HB 1109 would determine whether a licensure framework or other consumer protections are needed for interpreters in medical, legal and educational settings. Testimony emphasized that standards and accountability vary by context; witnesses told the committee unqualified interpreters can cause real harm. "Sometimes it's hard to know if they're good or bad or if they're getting the right information via that interpreter," said Shannon Callahan, who identified herself as a member of the Deaf community and an early proponent of the bill.

Witnesses in support included Disability Law Colorado, Boulder County’s ADA staff, the Independence Center, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition and Deaf-led advocates who described obstacles in access to qualified interpretation. Boulder County requested technical amendments; proponents said the proposed study would collect data to shape future policy and align Colorado with other states that regulate interpreting professions.

The sponsor offered and the committee adopted amendment L009, which changes the coordination of the study to the enterprise board and removes an automatic sunrise trigger. The committee approved the amended bill and sent HB 1109 to the committee on appropriations by a 5–2 vote.

Next steps: the study authority will move to appropriation consideration and will inform whether the Legislature pursues licensing or other regulatory interventions in future sessions.