(A) Any person who is deaf, mute, or both, or who because of a hearing, speaking, or other impairment has difficulty in communicating with other persons shall be entitled to the assistance and services of a qualified interpreter.
(B) A qualified interpreter shall be appointed in any proceeding before the Fair Housing/Human Rights Commission when the principal party in interest or a witness is deaf, mute, or both.
(C) No person shall be appointed as an interpreter pursuant to this section unless a preliminary determination is made to determine that the interpreter is able to readily communicate with the person who is deaf, mute, or both; is able to accurately repeat and translate the statements of said person; and who is agreed to by the person who is deaf, mute, or both.
(D) Upon request, the State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, or the State School for the Deaf, shall recommend qualified interpreters to assist a person who is deaf, mute, or both.
(E) Compensation shall be set for each day the interpreter is in attendance. Compensation, plus any reasonable expenses incurred by the interpreter, shall be paid from the funds of the Fair Housing/Human Rights Commission.
(KRS 344.500)