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Bill > HB302


DE HB302

An Act To Amend Title 29 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Language Access To Government Websites.


summary

Introduced
05/13/2025
In Committee
05/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

153rd General Assembly

Bill Summary

This Act requires that all State government websites are accessible in any language spoken by at least .5% of the overall population of Delaware. A link to the translated website must be prominently placed on each English version of the website. State websites may use machine translation services to translate websites so long as the website provides a disclaimer as to the accuracy of the text.

AI Summary

This bill requires Delaware state government websites to be accessible in languages spoken by at least 0.5% of the state's population, as determined by the most recent U.S. Census, with certain conditions and exceptions. The bill defines key terms like "limited English proficiency" and "machine translation," and mandates that translated websites can be created using free translation services, with a prominent disclaimer if machine translation is used. Websites do not need to be translated if an inaccurate translation could potentially deny services or if the content cannot be accurately translated (such as PDFs, images, or videos). The Government Information Center must establish minimum standards for these translations within 6 months, including guidelines for prominently linking translated versions on the English website. The bill provides a two-year implementation timeline, ensuring state agencies have adequate time to develop and deploy multilingual website versions. This legislation aims to improve language accessibility for residents with limited English proficiency, making government information and services more inclusive and understandable for a broader range of Delaware residents.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in House with 5 Favorable (on 05/21/2025)

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