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75-5397f. Definitions. As used in K.S.A 75-4355a through 75-4355d, and amendments thereto, and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 75-5393a through 75-5393d and 75-5397f, and amendments thereto:

(a) "Applicant" means a person who has submitted an application for registration as an interpreter.

(b) "Commission" means the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing.

(c) "Communication access services" includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Communication access realtime translation services;

(2) notetakers;

(3) open and closed captioning services;

(4) support service providers for the deaf-blind; and

(5) any other effective method of making aurally delivered information available to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

(d) "Communication access service provider" means an individual who is trained to offer a communication access service to communicate aurally delivered information to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech and language impairments.

(e) "Employee" means a person registered as a communication access service provider.

(f) "Executive director" means the executive director for the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing.

(g) "Interpreter" means an individual who engages in the practice of interpreting.

(h) "Interpreter service agency" means an entity that contracts with or employs registered interpreters to provide interpreter services, whether in person or remotely, for a fee.

(i) "Interpreting" means the translating or transliterating of English concepts to any communication modes of individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech and language impairments or the translating or transliterating of the communication modes of individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech and language impairments to English language concepts. Communication modes include, but are not limited to, American sign language, English-based sign language, cued speech, oral transliterating and information received tactually.

(j) "Video remote interpreter" means an interpreter who engages in the practice of video remote interpreting.

(k) "Video remote interpreting" means the process that allows an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with a hearing individual at the same location through an interpreter displayed through videoconferencing or similar technology.

History: L. 2022, ch. 50, § 5; L. 2024, ch. 15, § 100; July 1.