“To improve access to Federal services by individuals with limited English proficiency, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section requires the head of each agency, not later than one year after the date of enactment, to ensure meaningful access to the agency's federally conducted programs and activities for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) by (1) translating vital public documents and content into languages the agency frequently encounters and dominant U.S. languages per current Census data, and adding multilingual functionality to digital systems; (2) providing oral interpretation, sight translation, and remote services; (3) using qualified bilingual staff as an alternative; (4) notifying the public of language assistance via multilingual notices and signage; and (5) training public-facing employees. This section further requires the Attorney General to establish a public complaint system for LEP access barriers, with agencies responding to complaints within 60 days of receipt and the Attorney General publishing annual reports summarizing complaints by agency, language, and program. Additionally, this section directs each agency head, not later than one year after enactment, to establish a language access plan—proposed via a 60-day Federal Register comment period—that identifies LEP populations (including emerging, isolated, or non-written-language groups); describes multilingual communication methods (including for emergencies); and includes monitoring via assessments, performance indicators, data collection, internal reviews, and corrective actions, all consistent with agency LEP guidance, 2000 Title VI enforcement guidance, and a 2022 Attorney General memorandum.