41-5202. Communications; accessibility; emergency response interpreters

A. Pursuant to the Americans with disabilities act of 1990 (P.L. 101-336; 104 Stat. 327; 42 United States Code sections 12101 through 12213) and its regulations, this state shall take reasonable steps to ensure that its communications with persons with disabilities, including online communications and emergency communications, are equally as effective as this state's communications with persons without disabilities. This state shall take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to communicate with, receive information from and convey information to this state. This state shall provide auxiliary aids and services when needed to communicate effectively with persons with communication disabilities.

B. This state shall establish a protocol to take reasonable steps to secure an interpreter who is licensed by the commission for the deaf and the hard of hearing pursuant to title 36, chapter 17.1, article 2, with preference for an interpreter who is certified through the department of emergency and military affairs' emergency response interpreter credentialing program, to interpret emergency communications that are presented live to the media for broadcast or delivered through a live online communication, including an official government statement or press conference relating to an emergency situation.

C. This section does not prevent this state from communicating to the public during an emergency situation if an interpreter is unavailable.