§ 562. Duties of department.

(a) Interpreter program.--The department shall establish a program to appoint and use certified interpreters in administrative proceedings that is consistent with the program established by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 44 (relating to court interpreters). As part of the program, the department may grant automatic certification to any interpreter that has been certified pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 44. To certify interpreters, the department may establish a program which may include:

(1) establishing and administering a comprehensive testing and certification program for interpreters;

(2) establishing and adopting standards of proficiency, written and oral, in English and the language to be interpreted, including, but not limited to, certification by the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania as provided in 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 44;

(3) conducting periodic examinations to ensure the availability of certified interpreters pursuant to this subchapter;

(4) prescribing, determining and certifying the qualifications of persons who may serve as certified interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency;

(5) charging reasonable fees, as deemed necessary, for testing and certification;

(6) reciprocity of certification for interpreters from other jurisdictions, provided that, in the judgment of the department, the criteria for certification in the foreign jurisdiction is at least as stringent as that established by the department or the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania;

(7) providing for the audio recording of testimony that is the subject of interpretation; and

(8) providing a continuing education requirement for interpreters.

(b) List of certified interpreters.--The department shall compile, maintain and disseminate a current list of interpreters certified by the department to the agencies through any means deemed appropriate by the department, including, but not limited to, a written directory and publication on the official World Wide Web site of the department.

(c) Guidelines for selection of otherwise qualified interpreters.--The department shall provide guidelines to the agencies for the selection and use of otherwise qualified interpreters in order to ensure that the highest standards of accuracy are maintained in all administrative proceedings subject to this subchapter.

(d) Fee schedule.--The department shall prescribe, subject to periodic review, a schedule of reasonable fees for services rendered by certified interpreters and otherwise qualified interpreters.

(e) Standards of professional conduct.--

(1) The department shall establish and adopt standards for a code of professional conduct for administrative proceeding interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency.

(2) The department shall establish, administer or recommend a process to review and respond to allegations of violations of the code of professional conduct for administrative proceeding interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency, including, but not limited to, decertification and other disciplinary measures.

(f) Certification by courts.--Any interpreter certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 44 shall be deemed certified pursuant to this chapter.