CHAPTER 207
HB 441-FN – FINAL VERSION
18Feb2009… 0221h
05/13/09 1506s
24Jun2009… 2181cofc
24Jun2009… 2360eba
2009 SESSION
08/10
HOUSE BILL 441-FN
AN ACT relative to CART providers and sign language interpreters, and making an appropriation therefor.
SPONSORS: Rep. Emerson, Ches 7; Rep. Pilliod, Belk 5; Rep. Batula, Hills 19; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Cilley, Dist 6
This bill establishes the CART provider and sign language interpreter tuition repayment program and fund for the promotion, acquisition, and retention of CART providers and sign language interpreters in New Hampshire. This bill makes an appropriation to the fund.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
18Feb2009… 0221h
05/13/09 1506s
24Jun2009… 2181cofc
24Jun2009… 2360eba
09-0043
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine
AN ACT relative to CART providers and sign language interpreters, and making an appropriation therefor.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
207:1 New Chapter; CART Provider and Sign Language Interpreter Net Tuition Repayment Program. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 200-L the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 200-M
CART PROVIDER AND SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER
NET TUITION REPAYMENT PROGRAM
200-M:1 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. “CART provider” means a person who provides computer-aided, realtime translation of spoken language into English text by using a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and real time software to display the spoken text on a computer monitor, or other display device for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
II. “Net tuition” means tuition costs for post-secondary school education that was directed toward the completion of a degree or certificate in judicial reporting, broadcast captioning, realtime transcription, or sign language interpretation, or any other degree or certificate that the postsecondary education commission deems acceptable for purposes of CART provider and sign language interpreter net tuition repayment.
III. “Sign language interpreter” means a person who provides American Sign-Language based interpreting, which is the process of conveying information between American Sign Language and English.
200-M:2 CART Provider and Sign Language Interpreter Net Tuition Repayment Program Established. The postsecondary education commission shall administer a program for the promotion, acquisition, and retention of CART providers and sign language interpreters in the state.
200-M:3 Application; Repayment. An individual who has completed eligible CART or sign language interpreter training in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to RSA 200-M:5, including internships and residencies, and agrees to work as a CART provider or a sign language interpreter in this state, may apply to the postsecondary education commission for repayment under the CART provider and sign language interpreter net tuition repayment program and become eligible to be reimbursed up to 100 percent of his or her qualifying tuition not to exceed the cost of 4 years of in-state tuition at the university of New Hampshire, during a 5-year period of working as a CART provider or sign language interpreter. A 10 percent net tuition repayment shall be made upon completion of the first year of employment in this state, with an additional 10 percent made after the second year of work, an additional 20 percent after the third year of work, an additional 30 percent after the fourth year of work, and an additional 30 percent after the fifth year of work.
200-M:4 Fund Established.
I. There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a fund to be known as the CART provider and sign language interpreter net tuition repayment fund. The fund shall include any sums appropriated for such purpose. In addition, the postsecondary education commission is authorized to accept public sector and private sector grants, gifts, or donations of any kind for the purpose of funding the provisions of this chapter. The moneys in this fund shall be nonlapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the postsecondary education commission. The fund may be expended by the postsecondary education commission to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. The state treasurer may invest moneys in the fund as provided by law, with interest received on such investment credited to the fund.
II. A minimum balance of $100,000 shall be in the CART provider and sign language interpreter net tuition repayment fund prior to the selection of the first participant.
200-M:5 Administration; Rulemaking. The postsecondary education commission shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to procedures, eligibility, and qualifications for applicants, qualifying educational costs, criteria for terms of service by a CART provider and/or sign language interpreter, procedures for repayment of net tuition costs, and the administration of the program by the postsecondary education commission. The commissioner of the postsecondary education commission shall annually report to the general court on the effectiveness of this program.
207:2 Appropriation. The sum of $1 is hereby appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 to the postsecondary education commission for deposit in the CART provider and sign language interpreter net tuition repayment fund established in RSA 200-M:4. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
207:3 New Subparagraph; State Treasurer; Accounts Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (276) the following new subparagraph:
(277) Moneys deposited in the CART provider and sign language interpreter net tuition repayment fund established in RSA 200-M:4.
207:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: July 15, 2009
Effective Date: July 15, 2009