PURPOSE: This rule describes the composition, primary duty, record keeping, and meeting procedures of the Board for Certification of Interpreters.

1. (1) There is established within the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) a “Board for Certification of Interpreters” (BCI), which shall be composed of five (5) members. The executive director of the MCDHH or his/her designee shall be a nonvoting member of the BCI.
2. (2) The members of the BCI shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate from a list of recommendations from the MCDHH. The BCI shall elect from its membership a chairperson and a secretary. A quorum of the BCI shall consist of three (3) of its members.
3. (3) The BCI shall meet not less than two (2) times per year.
4. (4) By the authority established in sections 209.292(1) and 209.292(2), RSMo, the BCI is the only entity in the state of Missouri with the power to officially evaluate and certify interpreters in order that they may meet the requirements for licensing by the Missouri State Committee of Interpreters. Other powers and duties of the BCI are detailed in section 209.292, RSMo.
5. (5) The coordinator of the Missouri Interpreters Certification System (MICS) shall be hired by the executive director of the MCDHH, and shall be responsible for implementing policies and decisions of the BCI, maintaining the BCI’s records, and responding to all requests for access to the BCI’s public records.

6. (6) The public may obtain information from, as well as make submissions to, the BCI by submitting their requests or materials in writing to the MICS coordinator at the MCDHH office.

   1. (A) All public records of the BCI shall be open for inspection and copying by persons in the general public during normal business hours. However, records closed pursuant to section 610.021, RSMo, compiled in connection with the investigation of a complaint against the certification process, or compiled for the purpose of processing applications for certification are confidential and therefore not subject to inspection by the public.
   2. (B) A fee may be charged by the BCI for making copies of its records. See 5 CSR 100- 200.150 Fees.
   3. (C) It shall be improper for any BCI member, MCDHH member, or MCDHH staff member to discuss with any person, except members of the BCI, MCDHH, staff of the MCDHH, State Committee of Interpreters, staff of the State Committee of Interpreters, or counsel for any of these agencies, any matter which is confidential, including complaints against the certification process, that is pending before the BCI, MCDHH, State Committee of Interpreters, or the Administrative Hearing Commission.
7. (7) All meetings of the BCI not closed pursuant to the provisions of section 610.021, RSMo, shall be open to any person in the general public.
8. (8) Individuals wishing to make a presentation at a BCI meeting must submit their requests in writing to the executive director of the MCDHH a minimum of three (3) working days prior to the meeting.

AUTHORITY: sections 209.287 and 209.292, RSMo Supp. 2003 and 209.295(8), RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed June 20, 1996, effective Jan. 30, 1997. Amended: Filed May 14, 1997, effective Dec. 30, 1997. Rescinded and readopted: Filed July 26, 2001, effective March 30, 2002. Amended: Filed Nov. 14, 2003, effective June 30, 2004.

*Original authority: 209.287, RSMo 1994, amended 2002; 209.292, RSMo 1994, amended 2002; and 209.295, RSMo 1994.