Section 940.100  Definitions

The following terms have the meaning ascribed to them here whenever the term is used in this Part:

Act – the Language Assistance Services Act [210 ILCS 87].

Department – the Department of Public Health. (Section 10 of the Act)

Health facility – a hospital licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or a long-term care facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act.  (Section 10 of the Act)

Interpreter – a person fluent in English and in the necessary language of the patient or resident, who can accurately speak, read, and readily interpret the necessary second language, or a person who can accurately sign and read sign language.  (Section 10 of the Act)

Language or communication barrier – either of the following:

With respect to spoken language, barriers that are experienced by limited-English-speaking or non-English-speaking individuals who speak the same primary language, if those individuals constitute at least 5% of the patients or residents served by the health facility annually.

With respect to sign language, barriers that are experienced by individuals who are deaf and whose primary language is sign language.  (Section 10 of the Act)