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Bill

S 320

An Act relative to the training, assessment, and assignment of qualified school interpreters in educational settings

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brendan Crighton and 6 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishing standardized training, assessment, and assignment requirements for school interpreters to ensure qualified services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Hearing scheduled for 12/02/2025 from 01:00 PM-02:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · S 320

Legislative bill overview

S 320 establishes standardized requirements for training, assessment, and assignment of qualified school interpreters in Massachusetts educational settings. The bill aims to create consistent qualifications and oversight for interpreters who work with deaf and hard-of-hearing students, ensuring they meet professional standards.

Why is this important

School interpreters are critical for providing deaf and hard-of-hearing students equal access to education. Without standardized qualifications and assessment protocols, students may receive inconsistent quality of interpretation services, directly affecting their educational outcomes and classroom participation.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and implementation burden: Schools may face significant expenses hiring and training qualified interpreters, potentially straining already tight education budgets
  • Interpreter shortage: Mandating higher qualifications could worsen existing shortages of available interpreters in rural or underserved areas
  • Timeline and compliance: Schools may struggle to meet implementation deadlines if they lack qualified candidates in their regions
  • Assessment standards specificity: Disagreement may arise over what constitutes adequate qualifications and which certifications or credentials should be required

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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