,,ii #aai? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dihe ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,! ,,unit$ ,,/ates ,july #ae1 #bjbf,mr4 ,kim 7= himself1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 & ,mrs4 ,gillibr&7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to improve access to ,f$]al s]vices by individuals ) limit$ ,engli% pr(ici5cy1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,language ,access = ,all ,act ( #bjbf4 #b4 ,improv+ access to ,f$]al s]vices by individuals ) limit$ ,engli% pr(ici5cy 7a7 ,ensur+ mean+ful access 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! head ( ea* ag5cy %all ensure t individuals ) ,,lep c mean+fully access ! f$]ally conduct$ programs & activities ( ! ag5cy1 includ+ by-- 7,a7 consi/5t ) any applicable ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds e/abli%$ by ! ag5cy "u subsection 7c7-- 7i7 translat+ ea* vital docum5t or cont5t creat$ = ! public into-- 7,i7 any languages ! ag5cy frequ5tly enc\nt]s2 & 7,,ii7 ! dom9ant languages spok5 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates bas$ on curr5t data ( ! ,bureau ( ! ,c5sus2 & 7ii7 add+ multil+ual functionality to ag5cy digital & in=mation te*nology sy/ems to id5tify & track ! spok5 & writt5 language ne$s ( p :o engage ) ! ag5cy & to provide docum5ts & cont5t 9 o!r languages2 7,b7 provid+ oral int]pretation1 sight translation1 & telephonic or remote int]pretation s]vices to su* individuals2 7,c7 recogniz+1 z an alt]native to us+ qualifi$ int]pret]s or translators1 ! use ( demon/rably bil+ual /aff ( ! ag5cy t h be5 assess$ & are qualifi$ to deliv] accurate & effective communication z an appropriate me?od ( provid+ language assi/ance2 7,d7 ackn[l$g+ t1 :5 qualifi$1 su* /aff may (f] s]vice t is fa/]1 m effective1 & m co/-effici5t ?an ! use ( qualifi$ int]pret]s or translators2 7,e7 notify+ ! public ( ! availability ( language assi/ance1 includ+ int]pret]s1 translat$ docum5ts & digital cont5t1 & bil+ual /aff1 ?r\gh ! use ( multil+ual notices1 tagl9es1 signage or demon/rably equival5t alt]natives includ$ on docum5ts & digital cont5t ! ag5cy creates = ! public & 9 ag5cy build+s & (fices2 & 7,f7 tra9+ employees ( ! ag5cy :o int]act ) ! public on any policy or proc$ure e/abli%$ by ! ag5cy to implem5t ! language access plan e/abli%$ by ! ag5cy "u subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,public compla9t & track+ sy/em 7,a7 ,compla9ts ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all e/abli% & ma9ta9 a publicly accessible sy/em = individuals to submit compla9ts to ! ,attorney ,g5]al reg>d+ b>ri]s to receiv+ mean+ful access1 z describ$ "u p>agraph 7#a71 f an ag5cy4 7,b7 ,response ,! head ( ! ag5cy ) respect to :i* ! compla9t "u subp>agraph 7,a7 is made %all respond to ! compla9t n lat] ?an #fj days aft] receipt ( ! compla9t f ! ,attorney ,g5]al4 7,c7 ,reports ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all publi% on ! website ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice an annual report summ>iz+ ! compla9ts made "u subp>agraph 7,a71 disaggregat$ by ! ag5cy t is ! subject ( ! compla9t1 ! language ) respect to :i* ! ag5cy fail$ to provide access1 & ! program or activity to :i* ! p]son is gu>ante$ mean+ful access "u p>agraph 7#a74 7b7 ,language access plan 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! head ( ea* ag5cy %all e/abli% a language access plan to implem5t subsection 7a7 t-- 7,a7 is practical & effective1 readily implem5t$1 & responsive to ! p>ticul> circum/ances & mission ( ! ag5cy2 7,b7 is consi/5t ) ! ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds e/abli%$ "u subsection 7c77#a72 7,c7 is consi/5t ) ! /&>ds set =?-- 7i7 9 ! mo/ rec5t guidance ( ! ag5cy issu$ pursuant to ,executive ,ord] #acaff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;d-#a note2 relat+ to improv+ access to s]vices = p]sons ) limit$ ,engli% pr(ici5cy72 7ii7 9 ! policy guidance docum5t entitl$ ,en=cem5t ( ,title ,,vi ( ! ,civil ,rights ,act ( #aifd--,national ,orig9 ,discrim9ation ,aga9/ ,p]sons ,) ,limit$ ,engli% ,pr(ici5cy #fe ,f$4 ,reg4 #ej1 #abc 7,aug4 #af1 #bjjj72 & 7iii7 9 ! ,attorney ,g5]al's memor&um to ! heads ( ,dep>tm5t compon5ts issu$ on ,novemb] #ba1 #bjbb1 entitl$ ,/r5g!n+ ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t's ,commitm5t to ,language ,access2 7,d7 id5tifies :i* populations conta9+ individuals ) ,,lep are likely to seek access to ! s]vices & programs ( ! ag5cy1 includ+ language populations t are em]g+1 h be5 hi/orically isolat$1 are ( less] diffusion1 & d n h a commonly us$ writt5 =mat2 7,e7 describes h[ multil+ual communications w be mean+fully provid$ to ! populations id5tifi$ "u subp>agraph 7,d71 includ+ :e!r su* communications w be provid$ ?r\gh oral1 visual1 or community-bas$ modes ( communication1 z appropriate2 7,f7 9 ! case t ! ag5cy provides assi/ance dur+ em]g5cy response situations 7su* z disa/]s1 public heal? crises1 & o!r urg5t circum/ances71 specifies h[ multil+ual communications w be mean+fully provid$ to su* populations dur+ su* situations1 reg>dless ( :e!r an (ficial /ate ( em]g5cy has be5 decl>$2 & 7,g7 sets proc$ures = ! ag5cy ) respect to monitor+1 evaluat+1 & improv+ ! p]=mance ( ! ag5cy 9 implem5t+ ! plan1 includ+-- 7i7 regul> assessm5ts ( ! language access ne$s ( ! ag5cy & ! effectiv5ess ( ! language access provid$ by ! ag5cy2 7ii7 measurable p]=mance indicators address+ timel9ess1 accuracy1 & quality ( language assi/ance s]vices2 7iii7 me*anisms = collect+ & review+ data on s]vice usage1 compla9ts1 & id5tifi$ b>ri]s2 7iv7 p]iodic int]nal reviews conduct$ by ! civil rights (fice ( ! ag5cy2 & 7v7 processes = corrective action & cont9u\s improvem5t :5 defici5cies or gaps 9 mean+ful access are id5tifi$4 7#b7 ,notice & comm5t ,! head ( ea* ag5cy %all publi% a proposal = ! plan requir$ to be e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/] = a #fj-;day public comm5t p]iod to ensure t /akehold]s1 includ+ individuals ) ,,lep & organizations repres5t+ su* individuals1 h an adequate opportunity to provide input on h[ ! head ( su* ag5cy c>ries out ! provisions ( ?is ,act4 7#c7 ,f$]al ,regi/] ,aft] consid]+ any comm5ts receiv$ dur+ ! p]iod describ$ "u p>agraph 7#b7 ) respect to plan publi%$ "u su* p>agraph1 ! head ( an ag5cy %all-- 7,a7 update su* plan on ! basis ( su* comm5ts z ! head ( ! ag5cy det]m9es appropriate2 & 7,b7 publi% a f9aliz$ v]sion ( ! plan 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/]4 7#d7 ,submission to ! ,attorney ,g5]al & to congress ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! head ( an ag5cy e/abli%es ! language access plan requir$ by p>agraph 7#a71 ! head ( su* ag5cy %all submit su* plan to-- 7,a7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al2 & 7,b7 ! ,*air & ,rank+ ,memb] (-- 7i7 ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 7ii7 ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ( ! ,s5ate2 7iii7 ! ,committee on ,ov]sight & ,gov]nm5t ,re=m ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives2 & 7iv7 ! ,committee on ,homel& ,security & ,gov]nm5tal ,affairs ( ! ,s5ate4 7#e7 ,c5tral repository ,! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice %all e/abli% & ma9ta9 a publicly available website ) ! doma9 "n ,,lep4gov to s]ve z ! c5tral repository = ea* plan submitt$ to ! ,attorney ,g5]al "u p>agraph 7#d77;,a74 7c7 ,language access te*nical /&>ds 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ( /&>d ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! head ( ea* ag5cy1 9 consultation ) ! ,attorney ,g5]al1 ! ,national ,in/itute ( ,/&>ds & ,te*nology1 & /akehold]s & advocates f non-,engli%-speak+ communities1 %all e/abli% /&>ds to be kn[n z ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds to-- 7,a7 ensure mean+ful access to f$]ally conduct$ programs & activities1 z describ$ 9 subsection 7a72 & 7,b7 be us$ z a measure ( progress to evaluate ! effectiv5ess & accuracy ( language access = f$]ally conduct$ programs & activities c>ri$ out by ea* ag5cy4 7#b7 ,g5]al accessibility requirem5ts ,! ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds %all1 at a m9imum1 ) respect to ! sy/ems & s]vices ( ! ag5cy-- 7,a7 all[ individuals ) ,,lep to access any writt5 cont5t provid$ by ! ag5cy 9 ! language ( _! *oice among ! ag5cy's support$ languages2 7,b7 ensure ! functionality1 quality1 & timel9ess ( ! sy/em & s]vices = all languages2 7,c7 implem5t us]-fri5dly int]faces t acc\nt = v>y+ lit]acy & digital skills2 & 7,d7 be culturally det]m9$4 7#c7 ,undue burd5 exception 7,a7 ,writt5 reque/ ,9 ! case t ! head ( an ag5cy det]m9es t compliance ) a specific requirem5t includ$ 9 ! ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds w\ld impose an undue burd5 on ! ag5cy1 ! head ( ! ag5cy %all submit to ! ,attorney ,g5]al a writt5 reque/ to waive su* requirem5t = ! ag5cy t id5tifies-- 7i7 ! specific requirem5t t w\ld impose su* undue burd52 7ii7 ! nature ( ! burd52 & 7iii7 any alt]native to fulfill+ ! requirem5t & :y ea* su* alt]native is n feasible4 7,b7 ,attorney ,g5]al review 7i7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #cj days aft] receiv+ a reque/ "u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all grant or d5y ! reque/4 7ii7 ,det]m9ation crit]ia ,9 det]m9+ :e!r to grant or d5y ! reque/ ( an ag5cy "u subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all consid] :e!r-- 7,i7 individuals ) limit$ ,engli% pr(ici5cy are likely to int]act ) ! ag5cy2 & 7,,ii7 a failure to provide mean+ful language access is likely to result 9 significant h>m1 d5ial ( b5efits1 or dim9i%$ civil rights protections4 7,c7 ,expiration ,a grant ( a waiv] "u ?is subsection %all expire two ye>s aft] su* grant4 7,d7 ,record ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all ma9ta9 a publicly accessible record ( all writt5 reque/s receiv$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 9 ! c5tral repository e/abli%$ "u subsection 7b77#e74 7#d7 ,public p>ticipation & comm5t ,be=e e/abli%+ ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds1 or updat+ any su* /&>ds1 ! head ( an ag5cy %all provide opportunity = public comm5t & engage communities repres5t+ individuals ) ,,lep1 includ+ community & cultural organizations t "w ) individuals ) ,,lep1 & provid]s ( pr(essional language s]vices4 7#e7 ,updates ,! ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds %all be review$ at lea/ once e #c ye>s1 & updat$ z necess>y foll[+ su* review4 7#f7 ,adoption ,! head ( ea* ag5cy %all c]tify compliance ) ! ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds annually to ! ,attorney ,g5]al4 7#g7 ,scope ,! ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds %all apply to all ag5cy programs1 activities1 & communications1 includ+-- 7,a7 9-p]son1 telephonic1 & virtual int]actions2 7,b7 pap] & digital cont5t & docum5ts2 7,c7 websites1 portals1 & mobile applications2 & 7,d7 artificial intellig5ce-assi/$ & ma*9e translation language assi/ance s]vices1 includ+ automat$ translation1 transcription1 & int]pretation te*nologies4 7d7 ,,ai & automat$ language assi/ance s]vices 7#a7 ,limitation ,! head ( an ag5cy-- 7,a7 may n fully replace any qualifi$ language assi/ance s]vices ( ! ag5cy ) artificial intellig5ce or ma*9e translation s]vices2 & 7,b7 %all require a qualifi$ human translator or int]pret] to v]ify any use ( su* s]vice or ma*9e translation by ! ag5cy4 7#b7 ,requirem5ts ,! head ( ea* ag5cy %all ensure t any artificial intellig5ce-assi/$ language assi/ance s]vices us$ by ! ag5cy-- 7,a7 d n replace any qualifi$ translators & int]pret]s2 7,b7 publicly disclose on an annual basis on www4,,lep4gov data s\rces1 limitations1 confid5ce levels1 & error rates ( ! s]vice2 7,c7 comply ) section #eeb;a ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code 7commonly ref]r$ to z ! ,privacy ,act ( #aigd71 sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #ce ( title #dd1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & ! ,e-,gov]nm5t ,act ( #bjjb 7#dd ,u4,s4,c4 #ceja note2 ,public ,law #ajg-cdg7 & protect p]sonal & s5sitive in=mation f disclosure2 7,d7 are te/$ to prev5t discrim9ation bas$ on language1 culture1 e?nicity1 or o!r protect$ *>act]i/ics1 ) mitigation /rategies docum5t$2 7,e7 are review$ & validat$ by qualifi$ translators & int]pret]s to ensure prop] cultural context1 idiomatic accuracy1 & cl>ity ( ! translation or int]pretation2 & 7,f7 are cont9u\sly monitor$ by ! ag5cy = p]=mance1 ) errors report$ & corrective actions = us]-report$ inaccuracies 9 translation & int]pretation implem5t$4 7#c7 ,be/ practices ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all issue guidance on be/ practices = ! use ( artificial intellig5ce 9 language assi/ance s]vices1 includ+ validation1 monitor+1 & acc\ntability measures = su* artificial intellig5ce4 7#d7 ,audit requirem5t 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,inspector ,g5]al ( ea* ag5cy %all conduct1 at lea/ once e two ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 an audit ( all artificial intellig5ce-assi/$ language sy/ems to assess accuracy1 fairness1 cultural relevance1 & compliance ) ! ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds4 7,b7 ,report ,an ,inspector ,g5]al %all submit to ! ,attorney ,g5]al a report on an audit conduct$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 n lat] ?an #ij days aft] su* audit is complet$4 7,c7 ,public transp>5cy ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all make publicly available a summ>y ( ! report submitt$ "u subp>agraph 7,b74 7#e7 ,,ni/ ,! ,director ( ! ,national ,in/itute ( ,/&>ds & ,te*nology %all provide te*nical exp]tise1 validation protocols1 & /&>dization tools = artificial intellig5ce-assi/$ language assi/ance s]vices ( ag5cies4 7e7 ,int]ag5cy coord9ation 7#a7 ,int]ag5cy ,language ,access ,/&>d ,c\ncil ,! ,adm9i/rator ( ,g5]al ,s]vices %all conv5e an ,int]ag5cy ,language ,access ,/&>ds ,c\ncil to coord9ate updates1 be/ practices1 & rese>* on em]g+ te*nologies4 7#b7 ,language ,access ,work+ ,gr\p 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!re is e/abli%$ an ,language ,access ,work+ ,gr\p to-- 7i7 s]ve z a c5tral res\rce = provid+ support & te*nical assi/ance to ag5cies 9 implem5t+ ! language access plan ( ! ag5cy2 & 7ii7 directly engage ) community gr\ps1 individuals ) ,,lep1 & o!r /akehold]s to ensure adh]5ce ) ?is ,act4 7,b7 ,memb]%ip ,! memb]s ( ! ,language ,access ,work+ ,gr\p %all be compris$ ( "o ,language ,access ,coord9ator f ea* ag5cy & ! ,attorney ,g5]al4 7,c7 ,head ( gr\p ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all s]ve z ! head ( ! ,language ,access ,work+ ,gr\p4 7f7 ,e/abli%m5t ( ,language ,access ,coord9ator position 7#a7 ,position ,!re is e/abli%$ 9 ea* ag5cy a position to be kn[n z ! ,language ,access ,coord9ator4 7#b7 ,designation ,! head ( ea* ag5cy %all designate an (fic] or employee ( ! ag5cy to s]ve z ! ,language ,access ,coord9ator = ! ag5cy4 7#c7 ,duties ,! ,language ,access ,coord9ator %all-- 7,a7 s]ve z po9t ( contact = ea* language access ef=t ( ! ag5cy2 7,b7 ensure t ea* ag5cy compon5t t frequ5tly int]acts ) individuals ) ,,lep provides1 if feasible1 m&atory annual tra9+ to manag]s1 p]sonnel :o frequ5tly communicate ) individuals ) ,,lep1 & p]sonnel :o arrange = language support1 on ?is ,act1 ! language access plan ( ! ag5cy1 & ag5cy proc$ures = id5tify+ language access ne$s1 provid+ language assi/ance s]vices1 work+ ) int]pret]s & translators1 reque/+ docum5t translations1 & track+ ! use ( language access s]vices2 7,c7 det]m9e annually :e!r additional f$]ally conduct$ programs & activities %\ld be made accessible = individuals ) ,,lep & notify ag5cy compon5ts ( _! responsibility to provide su* access2 & 7,d7 beg9n+ on ! date t is #c ye>s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 evaluate ! language access plan ( ! ag5cy e/abli%$ "u subsection 7b77#a71 includ+ a review ( ! co/s ( language assi/ance s]vices1 & propose *anges to ag5cy compon5ts1 z appropriate1 to ref9e su* plan4 7g7 ,noncompliance ,noncompliance ) ! requirem5ts ( ?is ,act-- 7#a7 %all be treat$ z discrim9ation "u title ,,vi ( ! ,civil ,rights ,act ( #aifd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjj;d et seq472 7#b7 may be address$ by ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice1 :i* %all h en=cem5t au?ority1 includ+ ! au?ority to conduct an inve/igation1 comm5ce an adm9i/rative action1 & br+ an action = civil or injunctive rem$ies2 & 7#c7 may be address$ by an aggriev$ p>ty by br++ an adm9i/rative action ) ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice1 or br++ an action = civil or injunctive rem$ies4 7h7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,ag5cy ,! t]m ag5cy has ! mean+ giv5 t t]m 9 section #eea ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7#b7 ,individual ) ,,lep ,! t]m individual ) ,,lep means an individual = :om ,engli% is n a prim>y language & :o has a limit$ ability to read1 speak1 write1 or und]/& ! ,engli% language 7includ+ an individual :o is able to speak or und]/& ! ,engli% language1 b has a limit$ ability to read or write ! ,engli% language74 7#c7 ,language ,access ,coord9ator ,! t]m ,language ,access ,coord9ator means ! position ( an ag5cy e/abli%$ "u subsection 7f77#a74 7#d7 ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds ,! t]m ,language ,access ,te*nical ,/&>ds means ! /&>ds ( an ag5cy e/abli%$ "u subsection 7c77#a74 7#e7 ,language assi/ance s]vices ,! t]m language assi/ance s]vices means oral & writt5 language assi/ance s]vices us$ to provide individuals ) ,,lep mean+ful access to1 & an equal opportunity to p>ticipate fully 91 ! s]vices1 activities1 & o!r programs adm9i/]$ by ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t4 7#f7 ,mean+ful access ,! t]m mean+ful access means access t-- 7,a7 results 9 accurate1 timely1 & effective communication at no co/ to ! individual ) ,,lep2 & 7,b7 is comp>able to ! access provid$ to individuals :o are pr(ici5t 9 ,engli%4 7#g7 ,prim>y language ,! t]m prim>y language means ! language 9 :i* an individual mo/ effectively communicates4 7#h7 ,program or activity ,! t]m program or activity means all ! op]ations ( an ag5cy t involve contact ) ! public1 ! adm9i/ration ( ,f$]al b5efits1 or communication ) memb]s ( ! public or program p>ticipants4 7#i7 ,qualifi$ int]pret] or translator ,! t]m qualifi$ int]pret] or translator means-- 7,a7 an individual :o-- 7i7 is capable ( effective1 accurate1 & imp>tial r5dition ( spok5 or sign$ communication f "o language to ano!r betwe5 p :o speak1 sign1 read1 or write 9 a diff]5t language1 bo? receptively & expressively1 us+ any necess>y specializ$ vocabul>y & ) appropriate cultural relevance1 ei!r simultane\sly or consecutively2 7ii7 demon/rates to ! ,language ,access ,coord9ator ( ! ag5cy pr(ici5cy 9 & ability to li/5 to a spok5 language1 see+ or feel+ a sign$ or manual language1 or read+ some?+ writt5 9 "o language & express+ :at is be+ convey$ by t language accurately & ) appropriate cultural relevance into ano!r language1 ei!r simultane\sly or consecutively1 includ+ ) respect to any specializ$ t]m1 concept1 or any p>ticul>iz$ vocabul>y or phraseology p>ticul> to ! program or s]vice conc]n$ t is be+ convey$2 & 7iii7 und]/&s & adh]es to ! roles ( int]pret]s or translators1 includ+ any confid5tiality1 e?ics1 & imp>tiality rules4 7#aj7 ,vital docum5t ,! t]m vital docum5t means any writt5 mat]ial conta9+ in=mation critical =-- 7,a7 access+ or und]/&+ a ,f$]al program or activity or requir$ by law2 or 7,b7 obta9+ any aid1 b5efit1 s]vice1 or tra9+1 su* z-- 7i7 an application = a b5efit or s]vice2 7ii7 a cons5t or compla9t =m2 7iii7 a notice ( rights & responsibilities2 or 7iv7 a lett] or notice t requires a response f a b5efici>y1 applicant1 p>ticipant1 or employee4