1.1    .................... moves to amend H. F. No. 1729, the first engrossment, as follows:
1.2Page 1, after line 7 insert:

1.5Page 12, after line 15 insert:


1.8    Section 1. [62Q.40] LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SERVICES.
1.9    A health plan must cover sign language interpreter services provided to deaf and
1.10hard-of-hearing enrollees and language interpreter services provided to enrollees with
1.11limited English proficiency in order to facilitate the provision of health care services
1.12by a provider or health care facility. For purposes of this section, "provider" has the
1.13meaning given in section 62J.03, subdivision 8; and "health plan" includes coverage
1.14excluded under section 62A.011, subdivision 3, clauses (6), (7), (9), and (10). Interpreter
1.15services may be provided in person, by telephone, or by video conference. The health
1.16plan shall reimburse either the party providing interpreter services directly for the costs of
1.17language interpreter services provided to the enrollee or the provider or health care facility
1.18arranging for the provision of interpreter services. Providers and health care facilities
1.19that employ or contract with interpreters may bill and shall be reimbursed directly by
1.20health plan companies for such services. Except where health plan companies are already
1.21reimbursing a party providing or a provider or health care facility arranging for interpreter
1.22services, required reimbursement by health plan companies for interpreter services shall
1.23be phased in over a three-year period beginning July 1, 2008, with one-third of the cost
1.24reimbursed the first year, two-thirds of the cost reimbursed the second year, and full
1.25reimbursement the third year. A health plan company shall provide to enrollees, upon
1.26request, the policies and procedures for addressing the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing
1.27enrollees and enrollees with limited English proficiency. All entities providing interpreter
2.1services must disclose their methods for ensuring competency upon request of any health
2.2plan company, provider, or consumer.

2.3    Sec. 2. INTERPRETER SERVICES WORK GROUP.
2.4    (a) The commissioner of health shall, in consultation with the commissioners of
2.5commerce, human services, and employee relations, convene a work group to study the
2.6provision of interpreter services to patients in medical and dental care settings. The work
2.7group shall include one representative from each of the following groups:
2.8    (1) consumers;
2.9    (2) interpreters;
2.10    (3) interpreter service providers or agencies;
2.11    (4) health plan companies;
2.12    (5) self-insured purchasers;
2.13    (6) hospitals;
2.14    (7) health care providers;
2.15    (8) dental providers;
2.16    (9) clinic administrators;
2.17    (10) state agency staff from the Departments of Health, Human Services, and
2.18Employee Relations;
2.19    (11) local county social services agencies;
2.20    (12) local public health agencies; and
2.21    (13) the interpreting stakeholders group.
2.22    (b) The work group shall develop findings and recommendations on the following:
2.23    (1) assuring access to interpreter services;
2.24    (2) compliance with requirements of federal law and guidance;
2.25    (3) developing a quality assurance program to ensure the quality of health care
2.26interpreting services, including requirements for training and establishing a certification
2.27process; and
2.28    (4) identifying broad-based funding mechanisms for interpreter services.
2.29    (c) Based on the discussions of the work group, the commissioner shall submit
2.30the findings and the recommendations to the chairs of the health policy and finance
2.31committees in the house and senate by January 15, 2008.

2.32    Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
2.33    Section 1 is effective July 1, 2008, and applies to plans issued or renewed to
2.34provide coverage to Minnesota residents on or after that date unless the legislature enacts
2.35alternative funding sources based on the recommendations of the commissioner. Section 2
2.36is effective the day following final enactment."
3.1Amend the title accordingly