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Bill > H3199

MA H3199

MA H3199
Relative to language access and inclusion

summary

Introduced
03/29/2021
In Committee
03/29/2021
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2022

Introduced Session

192nd General Court

Bill Summary

Relative to state agency language access and inclusion. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve language access and inclusion in Massachusetts state agencies. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring state agencies to provide timely and culturally competent oral interpretation services, written translations of vital documents, and website content in languages spoken by at least 0.5% of the state population. 2. Mandating state agencies to develop comprehensive language access plans that assess the language needs of their service populations and resources available, and establish protocols for delivering language services. 3. Establishing a Language Access Advisory Board to provide oversight, technical assistance, and recommendations to state agencies on compliance with the law. 4. Empowering the Office of Access and Opportunity to investigate complaints, eliminate language barriers, and enforce the law's requirements. 5. Phasing in implementation of the law's provisions over 4 years, starting with key state agencies like MassHealth and the Department of Children and Families. The overall goal of the bill is to ensure equitable access to state services and programs for limited English proficient (LEP) and deaf or hard of hearing individuals in Massachusetts.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (48)

Carlos González (D)*,  Adrian Madaro (D)*,  Ruth Balser (D),  Christine Barber (D),  Michael Brady (D),  Pete Capano (D),  Gerry Cassidy (D),  Michelle Ciccolo (D),  Marjorie Decker (D),  Sal DiDomenico (D),  Mindy Domb (D),  Paul Donato (D),  Pat Duffy (D),  Jamie Eldridge (D),  Nika Elugardo (D),  Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D),  Dylan Fernandes (D),  Bill Galvin (D),  Sean Garballey (D),  Carmine Gentile (D),  Jessica Giannino (D),  Tami Gouveia (D),  Natalie Higgins (D),  Vanna Howard (D),  Mary Keefe (D),  Kay Khan (D),  Mike Kushmerek (D),  David LeBoeuf (D),  Jack Lewis (D),  Jason Lewis (D),  Elizabeth Malia (D),  Joe McGonagle (D),  Joan Meschino (D),  Christina Minicucci (D),  Tram Nguyen (D),  Jake Oliveira (D),  Steve Owens (D),  Maria Robinson (D),  Dave Rogers (D),  Danny Ryan (D),  Lindsay Sabadosa (D),  Jon Santiago (D),  Dan Sena (D),  Walter Timilty (D),  Steve Ultrino (D),  Erika Uyterhoeven (D),  Andy Vargas (D),  Tommy Vitolo (D), 

Last Action

Accompanied a new draft, see H4872 (on 06/15/2022)
(10 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3199
Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3199.pdf
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