The proposed General Assembly Committee Bill No. 955 seeks to improve access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) by mandating state and local government entities, as well as state contractors, to adopt comprehensive language access policies. Effective October 1, 2025, the bill introduces definitions for key terms such as "limited English proficiency individuals," "language access," "interpretation services," and "translation services." It requires these entities to assess the language needs of their communities, provide necessary translation and interpretation services, and ensure that public-facing materials are accessible to LEP individuals. Additionally, each state agency must develop a language access plan, appoint a language access coordinator, and make these plans publicly available online.

The bill also establishes an Office of Language Access within the Department of Consumer Protection, which will oversee compliance with language access policies, investigate complaints, and analyze data to better serve LEP communities. It emphasizes the provision of language assistance in healthcare and educational settings to ensure LEP individuals receive support in their preferred language. Furthermore, the bill mandates the generation of an annual report summarizing the office's service analysis, investigation results, and legislative recommendations. The proposed deletions from current law are indicated in brackets, while new legal language is marked by underlining, although the entire text of new sections is not underlined. This legislative initiative is co-sponsored by Senator Rahman and Representatives Reyes and Turco.