The proposed bill, Substitute House Bill No. 5347, mandates the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to create a comprehensive plan by January 1, 2027, for the translation and review of all printed or electronic forms and applications necessary for accessing services or benefits from executive branch state agencies. This plan must include translations into the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by individuals with limited-English proficiency in the state, as identified by the latest American Community Survey. Additionally, the bill requires each state agency to adopt and implement this plan by February 1, 2027, and to designate a language access coordinator to ensure compliance.

The bill also stipulates that the plan must be updated at least every two years. The implementation of this plan is expected to incur significant costs, including a one-time expense of up to $5 million for various state agencies to translate and reproduce approximately 1,500 applications, as well as ongoing costs for staffing and consulting services. The bill aims to enhance access to state services for individuals with limited-English proficiency, aligning with federal requirements for meaningful access to government benefits.