Senator Danielson, primary bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 26-1109, which requires the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind in the Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise to contract for a study regarding consumer protections related to the use of sign language interpreters in the state, By July 1, 2027. The bill lists the requirement of the study, including conducting interviews, collecting qualitative data, and comparing other states’ approach to regulating sign language interpretation. The final report must be done by July 1, 2028.

Jack Johnson, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Nick Robles, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Shannon Callahan, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Tracy Crespin, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Frank Santana, representing The Independence Center, testified in support of the bill. Kenneth Maestas, representing The Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Michael Neil, representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Marja Possner, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. AnnaMarie Savino, representing themself, testified to amend the bill. Tricia Leakey, representing Co Dept of Human Services, was available to answer committee questions.

Additional written testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment C).

The primary bill sponsor provided closing remarks.