We are asking the author, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, for a 2-year grace period for sign language interpreters to become certified to prevent interruptions to communication access!

What is AB2257?

AB2257 is a clean-up bill to add professional exemptions to AB5. We want to add professional exemptions for language interpreters and realtime captioners so communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing community is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

AB2257 was formerly known as AB1850.

What is AB5?

AB5 was passed in 2019 and severely limits certain independent contractors from providing their services. It decreases the number of sign language interpreters and realtime captioners available.

What is the current status of AB2257?

On June 11, 2020, the California Assembly passed AB2257 but did not honor requests to include professional exemptions for sign language interpreters and realtime captioners

On August 5, 2020, the Senate Labor Committee voted to pass AB2257 with most of our requests included, thanks to the community!

On August 20, 2020, the California Senate Appropriations Committee passed AB2257 however the bill contains an immediate certification requirement for interpreters. Before the Senate votes on the bill, we are asking the author, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez, to add a 2-year grace period for sign language interpreters to become certified to prevent interruptions to communication access! The need for a grace period for the certification language is critical to avoid a serious interruption of communication access services. Many areas of our state currently do not have RID-certified interpreters, and the lack of relief will seriously impact services to the community. A grace period will allow for providers in the area to become certified, avoiding both a lapse in qualified services and an artificial shortage.