§5-14A-1. Short Title

This article shall be known and may be cited as the "West Virginia Interpreter for the Deaf Act."

§5-14A-2. Definitions

As used in this article: (a) "Deaf person" means one whose sense of hearing is nonfunctional for the ordinary purposes of life; (b) "Qualified interpreter" means an interpreter certified by the national association of the deaf (NAD) or registry of interpreters for the deaf (RID), or, in the event an interpreter so certified is not […]

§5-14A-3. Appointment of Interpreter in Court Action or Grand Jury Proceeding

(a) In any case before any court or the grand jury, wherein any deaf person is a complainant, defendant or witness, a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings to the deaf person and interpret his or her testimony or statements and to assist in preparation with counsel shall be appointed as provided under the provisions […]

§5-14A-4. Arrests — Appointment of an Interpreter

(a) In the event a person who is deaf is arrested and taken into custody for any alleged violation of a criminal law of this state, the arresting officer or his or her superiors shall procure a qualified interpreter in order to interrogate properly such deaf person and to interpret such person's statements. No statement […]

§5-14A-5. Administrative Proceedings — Appointment of Interpreter

(a) In any proceeding before any department, board, commission, agency or licensing authority of the state, in any political subdivision or municipality, wherein any deaf person is a defendant, the department, board, commission, agency, licensing authority, political subdivision or municipality shall appoint a qualified interpreter to interpret the proceedings to the deaf person and to […]

§5-14A-6. Notice of Necessity of Interpreter — Proof of Deafness

Every deaf person whose appearance in any proceeding entitles him or her to an interpreter shall notify the appointing authority of his or her desire for an interpreter at least forty-eight hours prior to any appearance and may request at the time the services of an interpreter: Provided, That if a deaf person reasonably expects […]

§5-14A-7. Processing Request for Interpreter — Duties and Responsibilities

It shall be the responsibility of the appointing authority to channel requests for qualified interpreters through the West Virginia commission for the deaf and hard-of-hearing except as provided under the provisions of section seven, article five, chapter fifty-seven of this code. This listing shall be made available to authorities in possible need of interpreter service […]

§5-14A-8. Confirmation of Accuracy of Interpretation

Before a qualified interpreter may participate in any proceedings under the provisions of this article, the interpreter shall make an oath or affirmation that he or she will make a true interpretation in an understandable manner to the deaf person for whom he or she is appointed and that he or she will interpret the […]

§5-14A-9. Interpreter Fee; Authority for Legislative Rules

Notwithstanding the provisions of section seven, article five, chapter fifty-seven with respect to fees, an interpreter appointed under the provisions of this article shall be entitled to a reasonable fee to be established by the West Virginia commission for the deaf and hard-of-hearing under a fee schedule promulgated by legislative rule pursuant to the provisions […]