Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

"Adjudication." Any final order, decree, decision, determination or ruling by an agency affecting personal or property rights, privileges, immunities, duties, liabilities or obligations of any or all of the parties to the proceeding in which the adjudication is made. The term does not include any order based upon a proceeding before a court or which involves the seizure or forfeiture of property, paroles, pardons or releases from mental institutions.

"Administrative proceeding." Any proceeding other than a judicial proceeding, the outcome of which is required to be based on a record or documentation prescribed by law or in which law or regulation is particularized in application to individuals. The term includes an appeal.

"Agency." A government agency.

"Appeal." Includes proceedings on petition for review.

"Certified interpreter." A person who:

(1) is readily able to interpret; and

(2) either:

(i) is certified by the Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with Subchapter C of Chapter 5 (relating to administrative proceeding interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency); or

(ii) is certified by the Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with Subchapter D of Chapter 5 (relating to administrative proceeding interpreters for persons who are deaf) or is registered with the department pursuant to the act of July 2, 2004 (P.L.492, No.57), known as the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act.

"Commonwealth agency." Any executive agency or independent agency.

"Commonwealth government." The government of the Commonwealth, including the courts and other officers or agencies of the unified judicial system, the General Assembly, and its officers and agencies, the Governor, and the departments, boards, commissions, authorities and officers and agencies of the Commonwealth, but the term does not include any political subdivision, municipal or other local authority, or any officer or agency of any such political subdivision or local authority.

"Court Administrator of Pennsylvania." The court administrator appointed by the Supreme Court under section 10(b) of Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania and 42 Pa.C.S. § 1901 (relating to Court Administrator of Pennsylvania).

"Deaf." An impairment of hearing or speech which creates an inability to understand or communicate the spoken English language.

"Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth.

"Executive agency." The Governor and the departments, boards, commissions, authorities and other officers and agencies of the Commonwealth government, but the term does not include any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system, the General Assembly and its officers and agencies, or any independent agency.

"General rule." As defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions).

"Government agency." Any Commonwealth agency or any political subdivision or municipal or other local authority, or any officer or agency of any such political subdivision or local authority.

"Government unit." The General Assembly and its officers and agencies, any government agency or any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system.

"Independent agency." Boards, commissions, authorities and other agencies and officers of the Commonwealth government which are not subject to the policy supervision and control of the Governor, but the term does not include any court or other officer or agency of the unified judicial system or the General Assembly and its officers and agencies.

"Interpret." Either one of the following:

(1) For purposes of Subchapter C of Chapter 5 (relating to administrative proceeding interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency), to convey spoken and written English into the language of the person with limited English proficiency and to convey oral and written statements by the person into spoken English.

(2) For purposes of Subchapter D of Chapter 5 (relating to administrative proceeding interpreters for persons who are deaf), to convey spoken English in a manner understood by the person who is deaf and to convey statements made by the person who is deaf into English through, but not limited to, American Sign Language and transliteration or the use of computer-aided real-time captioning (CART) or similar procedure.

"Interpreter." Includes both a certified interpreter and an otherwise qualified interpreter.

"Judicial proceeding." An "action," "appeal" or "proceeding" in any "court" of this Commonwealth as those terms are defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions).

"Limited ability to speak or understand English." The ability to speak exclusively or primarily a language other than English and the inability to sufficiently speak or understand English.

"Local agency." A government agency other than a Commonwealth agency.

"Matter." Action, proceeding or appeal.

"Otherwise qualified interpreter." A person who:

(1) For purposes of Subchapter C of Chapter 5 (relating to administrative proceeding interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency):

(i) is readily able to interpret; and

(ii) has read, understands and agrees to abide by the code of professional conduct for administrative proceeding interpreters for persons with limited English proficiency as established by the Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with Subchapter C of Chapter 5.

(2) For purposes of Subchapter D of Chapter 5 (relating to administrative proceeding interpreters for persons who are deaf):

(i) is readily able to interpret;

(ii) is certified by the National Association of the Deaf, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or similar registry; and

(iii) has read, understands and agrees to abide by the code of professional conduct for administrative proceeding interpreters for persons who are deaf as established by the Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with Subchapter D of Chapter 5.

"Party." Any person who appears in a proceeding before an agency who has a direct interest in the subject matter of such proceeding.

"Person." Includes a government unit or an agency of the Federal Government.

"Person who is deaf." A party or witness who is deaf.

"Person with limited English proficiency." A party or a witness who has limited ability to speak or understand English.

"Presiding officer." An individual appointed by an agency to preside at an administrative proceeding.

"Transliteration." To convey spoken or written English in an English-based sign system and the process of conveying an English-based sign system in spoken or written English.

"Witness." A person who testifies in a proceeding before an agency.

(Nov. 29, 2006, P.L.1538, No.172, eff. 60 days)

Cross References. Section 101 is referred to in section 202 of Title 26 (Eminent Domain); section 4402 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).