(a) The agency conducting any proceeding shall provide a qualified interpreter to the hearing impaired person:

(1) Whenever the hearing impaired person is a party to the proceeding or a witness before the proceeding; or

(2) Whenever a person below the age of 18 years whose parents are hearing impaired persons is a party to the proceeding or a witness before the proceeding conducted by an agency.

(b) The hearing impaired person shall notify the agency not less than ten days, excluding weekends and holidays, prior to the date of the proceeding of the need for a qualified interpreter. If the hearing impaired person receives notice of the proceeding less than ten days, excluding weekends and holidays, prior to the proceeding, he shall notify the agency as soon as practicable after receiving such notice. Upon receiving a request for a qualified interpreter, the agency shall immediately forward such request to the department. Upon receiving a request from an agency, the department shall provide a qualified interpreter for the proceeding specified in the request.