A. The Commission for Rehabilitation Services shall:

1. Promote the coordination of efforts and services on behalf of the deaf and hard-of-hearing;

2. Inventory the various services available for meeting the problems of the deaf and hard-of-hearing and assist persons in locating and securing such services;

3. Collect studies, compile bibliographies, gather information and conduct research with respect to the education, training, counseling, placement and social and economic adjustment of the deaf and hard-of-hearing and with respect to the causes, diagnosis, treatment and methods of prevention of impaired hearing;

4. Keep informed of and cooperate with federal, state and local programs available for the improvement of the general welfare of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons;

5. Appoint advisory or special committees when appropriate for in-depth investigations and study of particular problems and to receive reports of findings and recommendations; and

6. Make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature with respect to modifications in existing services or establishment of additional services for deaf or hard-of-hearing persons.

B. 1. Personal client information obtained or created in the course of providing services to persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing pursuant to this section shall be confidential. Such information shall include, but is not limited to, the client's name; work or home address; work or home telephone number; and social security number.

2. Persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing have the same legitimate expectations of privacy in the conduct of their daily lives as do persons who can hear. As a result, information obtained or created in the course of providing interpreter services pursuant to this section shall be confidential to the extent necessary to protect those expectations. Confidential information related to interpreter services shall include, but is not limited to, personal client information; the purpose for which the client requests interpretation; the entity with which the client communicates by way of an interpreter; the date, time, location and duration of the interpreted communication; and the name of the interpreter.

Added by Laws 1972, c. 110, § 4, emerg. eff. April 6, 1972. Amended by Laws 1986, c. 7, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986. Renumbered from Title 63, § 2404 by Laws 1986, c. 7, § 6, eff. July 1, 1986. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 364, § 12, emerg. eff. June 11, 1993; Laws 1998, c. 246, § 21, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.