ASL Interpreting, Ethics, and AB2257

Language access is not only a service obligation, it is a legal and ethical responsibility.

Prolanguage Corporation maintains active awareness of regulatory frameworks affecting American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting, interpreter classification, and language access compliance. This page is provided as an educational resource for organizations seeking clarity, not legal advice.

Our goal is simple:
to support informed decision-making and responsible language access.

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Compliance Insights

Why Compliance Matters in ASL Interpreting

In regulated environments, interpreting quality and compliance are inseparable.

When organizations engage interpreting services, they assume responsibility for:

  • Accurate communication

  • Qualified professionals

  • Ethical labor practices

  • Accessibility obligations under the ADA

Missteps, whether related to interpreter qualifications or worker classification, can create legal exposure, reputational risk, and harm to Deaf consumers.

Compliance is not a box to check.
It is a standard to uphold.

Understanding AB5 and AB2257 (California)

A High-Level Overview

California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), and its amendment AB2257, address the classification of workers as employees or independent contractors. These laws were designed to prevent misclassification and ensure fair labor practices.

ASL interpreting was significantly impacted by AB5 due to the nature of professional services and how agencies historically engaged interpreters.

AB2257 introduced clarifications and exemptions, specifically acknowledging the unique structure of professional services such as ASL interpreting.

How AB2257 Applies to ASL Interpreting

Under AB2257, ASL interpreters may qualify for an exemption from the ABC Test when specific conditions are met. These conditions are intended to confirm that interpreters are operating as bona fide independent professionals, not employees in name only.

At a high level, these conditions include:

  • A written contract defining the professional relationship

  • Evidence of an independently established business

  • Professional autonomy in scheduling and service delivery

The intent of AB2257 is not to weaken protections, but to align labor law with the realities of licensed, credentialed professional services.

Ethical Considerations Beyond the Law

Compliance alone is not enough.

In ASL interpreting, ethical practice extends beyond legal classification to include:

  • Fair and transparent compensation

  • Respect for professional expertise

  • Avoidance of exploitative “volume-based” models

  • Commitment to qualified, credentialed practitioners

These ethical standards directly impact service quality, interpreter retention, and outcomes for Deaf consumers.

Organizations that prioritize ethics alongside compliance create safer, more reliable communication environments.

Prolanguage’s Approach

Prolanguage Corporation approaches compliance with care, awareness, and responsibility.

We:

  • Stay informed on evolving labor and accessibility regulations

  • Work with certified, highly experienced ASL interpreters

  • Maintain transparent, ethical professional relationships

  • Avoid practices that undermine interpreter autonomy or quality

Our operational model is intentionally designed to align legal compliance with ethical responsibility—without reducing interpreting to a transactional commodity.

For Organizations Seeking Guidance

This page is not intended as legal advice. Regulations may change, and interpretations can vary based on jurisdiction and circumstance.

Organizations are encouraged to consult qualified legal counsel when developing or evaluating compliance policies related to language access or labor classification.

Prolanguage’s role is to support responsible access through informed, ethical service delivery.