Even before a parade of advocates encouraged lawmakers to bolster language interpretation and translation services at state agencies, a committee co-chair divulged the panel’s plan Tuesday to once again advance the legislation.
“This bill was reported out favorably last session, and we intend to do so again,” Sen. Nick Collins, co-chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, said after the first advocate kicked off discussion on refiled proposals from Reps. Adrian Madaro and Carlos González and Sen. Sal DiDomenico (H 3384 / S 2125).
Public-facing agencies would be required to offer interpretation services and translate vital documents under the legislation, plus hire language access coordinators. Agencies would also need to develop language access plans and conduct a community needs assessment every two years. Residents would gain the right to private action should agencies fail to provide language access services, according to the bills…