Bill > SB245

This bill amends existing California law to expand consumer protections by requiring businesses that negotiate contracts primarily in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean to provide a translated copy of the contract in that language. This applies to various agreements including certain loans, leases for dwellings, legal services contracts, and foreclosure consulting contracts. The bill acknowledges the increasing linguistic diversity in California and aims to ensure that consumers who do not speak English fluently can fully understand the terms and conditions of agreements they enter into, thereby increasing consumer information and protections. The original law, enacted in 1976, initially focused on Spanish-speaking consumers, but this amendment broadens the scope to include other widely spoken languages in the state.