(a) In a contested case, a state agency shall provide an interpreter whose qualifications are approved by the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to interpret the proceedings for a party or subpoenaed witness who is deaf or hearing impaired.
(b) In this section, "deaf or hearing impaired" means having a hearing impairment, whether or not accompanied by a speech impairment, that inhibits comprehension of the proceedings or communication with others.