Bill > S2125

This bill establishes a comprehensive Language Access and Inclusion Act to ensure equal access to state government services for limited English proficient (LEP) and deaf or hard of hearing individuals. The legislation creates an Office of Access and Opportunity (OAO) within the governor's office, led by a deputy chief who will work to foster non-discrimination and equal opportunity across state government. The bill requires public-facing state agencies to provide language access services, including oral interpretation, written translation, and auxiliary aids for deaf or hard of hearing individuals. Agencies must develop language access plans every two years, conduct community needs assessments, and maintain a language access coordinator to manage service requests and complaints. A new Language Access Advisory Board will be established to provide guidance and support to agencies, composed of representatives from immigrant advocacy groups, disability organizations, and legal services. The implementation will be phased in over five years, starting with key agencies like MassHealth and the Department of Children and Families in the second year after enactment. Agencies must provide vital documents and websites in multiple languages, including Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The bill allows individuals to seek legal remedy if language access services are not properly provided and gives the Office of Access and Opportunity the authority to investigate and address language access barriers.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2125