The proposed Bill No. 955 aims to enhance access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency by mandating that state and local government agencies, as well as state contractors receiving state funding, implement specific measures. These measures include ensuring that services are accessible to non-English speakers, training staff to effectively communicate with these individuals, and providing translation and interpretation services in various languages, such as Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Arabic. Additionally, the bill requires state agencies to appoint a language access coordinator, create a language access plan available on their websites, and revise written and electronic materials to accommodate varying literacy levels.

Furthermore, the bill establishes the Department of Consumer Protection's Office of Language Access to oversee compliance with language access policies and handle complaints. It also mandates that state agencies collect and report data on the language needs of the populations they serve. The proposed changes aim to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency can meaningfully access programs and services provided by government entities and contractors.