(a)

1. (1) The practice of interpreting affects:

   1. (A) The public health, safety, and welfare; and
   2. (B) Civic, economic, social, academic, and recreational aspects of life.
2. (2) Individuals who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or oral deaf, individuals with disabilities who use special techniques in order to communicate, and individuals whose primary language is sign language have a civil right to effective communication.

(b)

1. (1) Further, individuals with hearing disabilities and those with whom they communicate require and are entitled to competent reliable interpreting services.

2. (2) Therefore, Arkansas finds the practice of interpreting should be subject to licensure and regulation to:

   1. (A) Protect the public’s interest by providing minimum qualifications for interpreters; and
   2. (B) Ensure that members of the interpreting profession perform with a high degree of competency.