2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Chapter 413 - Oregon Health Authority
Section 413.550 - Definitions for ORS 413.550 to 413.559.

(1) "Certified health care interpreter" means an individual who has been approved and certified by the Oregon Health Authority.
(2) "Health care" means medical, surgical or hospital care or any other remedial care recognized by state law, including physical and behavioral health care.
(3) "Health care interpreter" means an individual who is readily able to:
(a) Communicate with a person with limited English proficiency;
(b) Accurately interpret the oral statements of a person with limited English proficiency, or the statements of a person who communicates in sign language, into English;
(c) Sight translate documents from a person with limited English proficiency;
(d) Interpret the oral statements of other persons into the language of the person with limited English proficiency or into sign language; and
(e) Sight translate documents in English into the language of the person with limited English proficiency.
(4) "Person with limited English proficiency" means a person who, by reason of place of birth or culture, speaks a language other than English and does not speak English with adequate ability to communicate effectively with a health care provider.
(5) "Qualified health care interpreter" means an individual who has received a valid letter of qualification from the authority.
(6) "Sight translate" means to translate a written document into spoken or sign language. [Formerly 409.615; 2015 c.318 §1]
Note: The amendments to 413.550 by section 8, chapter 453, Oregon Laws 2021, become operative September 1, 2022. See section 18, chapter 453, Oregon Laws 2021. The text that is operative on and after September 1, 2022, is set forth for the user’s convenience. As used in ORS 413.550 to 413.559:
(1) "Certified health care interpreter" means an individual who has been approved and certified by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 413.558.
(2) "Coordinated care organization" has the meaning given that term in ORS 414.025.
(3) "Health care" means medical, surgical, oral or hospital care or any other remedial care recognized by state law, including physical and behavioral health care.
(4)(a) "Health care interpreter" means an individual who is readily able to:
(A) Communicate in English and communicate with a person with limited English proficiency or who communicates in signed language;
(B) Accurately interpret the oral statements of a person with limited English proficiency, or the statements of a person who communicates in signed language, into English;
(C) Accurately interpret oral statements in English to a person with limited English proficiency or who communicates in signed language;
(D) Sight translate documents from a person with limited English proficiency; and
(E) Interpret the oral statements of other persons into the language of the person with limited English proficiency or into signed language.
(b) "Health care interpreter" also includes an individual who can provide the services described in paragraph (a) of this subsection using relay or indirect interpretation.
(5) "Health care interpreter registry" means the registry described in ORS 413.558 that is administered by the authority.
(6) "Health care provider" means any of the following that are reimbursed with public funds, in whole or in part:
(a) An individual licensed or certified by the:
(A) State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology;
(B) State Board of Chiropractic Examiners;
(C) State Board of Licensed Social Workers;
(D) Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists;
(E) Oregon Board of Dentistry;
(F) State Board of Massage Therapists;
(G) Oregon Board of Naturopathic Medicine;
(H) Oregon State Board of Nursing;
(I) Oregon Board of Optometry;
(J) State Board of Pharmacy;
(K) Oregon Medical Board;
(L) Occupational Therapy Licensing Board;
(M) Oregon Board of Physical Therapy;
(N) Oregon Board of Psychology;
(O) Board of Medical Imaging;
(P) State Board of Direct Entry Midwifery;
(Q) Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist Licensing Board;
(R) Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists;
(S) Board of Licensed Dietitians; and
(T) State Mortuary and Cemetery Board;
(b) An emergency medical services provider licensed by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 682.216;
(c) A clinical laboratory licensed under ORS 438.110;
(d) A health care facility as defined in ORS 442.015;
(e) A home health agency licensed under ORS 443.015;
(f) A hospice program licensed under ORS 443.860; or
(g) Any other person that provides health care or that bills for or is compensated for health care provided, in the normal course of business.
(7) "Interpretation service company" means an entity, or a person acting on behalf of an entity, that is in the business of arranging for health care interpreters to work with health care providers in this state.
(8) "Person with limited English proficiency" means a person who, by reason of place of birth or culture, communicates in a language other than English and does not communicate in English with adequate ability to communicate effectively with a health care provider.
(9) "Prepaid managed care health services organization" has the meaning given that term in ORS 414.025.
(10) "Qualified health care interpreter" means an individual who has been issued a valid letter of qualification from the authority under ORS 413.558.
(11) "Sight translate" means to translate a written document into spoken or signed language.
Note: 413.550 to 413.560 were enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but were not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 413 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes