Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) Advisory Board Agenda

This meeting will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person at the address above or access a live stream of the meeting at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for the North Austin Complex Live on the date and time for this meeting. Please e-mail Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

Closed captioning for this meeting will be available.

This meeting will also be conducted via videoconference call in accordance with the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. The member of the Board presiding over the meeting will be physically present at the location specified above.

Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

1. Call to order, roll call, and introductions
2. Consideration of September 27, 2024, draft meeting minutes
3. Update from Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS)
   1. Camp Sign 2025
   2. Interpreter training opportunities
4. BEI manager report
   1. Testing and rating updates
   2. Overview of approval process for continuing education units for certified interpreters
5. Overview of BEI complaint process
6. Overview of procedures for approving continuing education courses and presenters
7. Discuss interpreter referral agencies using unqualified interpreters
8. Discuss criteria and methodology when determining BEI certified interpreter disciplinary action
9. Public comment
10. Future meetings and planning
11. Adjourn

The board may take any action on any agenda item.

Public Comment: HHSC welcomes public comments pertaining to topics above. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment may choose from the following options:

1. Oral comments provided virtually: Members of the public must pre-register to provide comments virtually live during the meeting by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/BEI_PCReg_JAN2025 no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Please mark the correct box on the Public Comment Registration form and provide your name, either the organization you are representing or that you are commenting as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. If you have completed the Public Comment Registration form, you will receive an email the day before the meeting with instructions for providing virtual public comment. Public comment is limited to three minutes. Each person providing public comments virtually must ensure their face is visible and their comments audible to the other participants while they are commenting. Each person must state their name and on whose behalf they are commenting (if anyone). If you pre-register to comment and wish to provide a handout before the meeting, please submit an electronic copy in accessible PDF format that will be distributed by HHS staff to BEI members and State staff. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Handouts must be emailed to Jamie.jones@hhs.texas.gov immediately after pre-registering, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments or handouts. Staff will not read handouts aloud during the meeting, but handouts will be provided to BEI members and State staff.
    
2. Written comments: Members of the public may provide written public comments by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/BEI_PCReg_JAN2025. A member of the public who wishes to provide written public comments must email the comments to Jamie.jones@hhs.texas.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Please include your name and the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen. Written comments must be emailed to HHSC immediately after pre-registering and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Written comments are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments. Staff will not read written comments aloud during the meeting, but comments will be provided to BEI members and State staff.
    
3. Comments provided in-person at the meeting location: Members of the public may provide public comment during the meeting in person at the meeting location either by pre-registering using the form above or without pre-registering by completing a form at the entrance to the meeting room. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments.

Note: These procedures may be revised at the discretion of HHSC.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or meeting arrangements should be directed to Jamie Jones, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, HHSC, jamie.jones@hhs.texas.gov.

This meeting is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend this meeting.

People who want to attend the meeting and require assistive technology or services should contact Jones at Jamie.jones@hhs.texas.gov at least 72 hours before the meeting so appropriate arrangements can be made.