Existing law requires the head of each agency of the Executive Department of the State Government to designate one or more employees to develop and biennially revise a language access plan. The language access plan must include, without limitation, procedures for designating certain information and documents as vital and providing such information and documents to persons served by the agency in the preferred language of such persons. (NRS 232.0081) Section 1 of this bill requires the head of each such agency to: (1) using such procedures, designate the information and documents related to the services of the agency that are vital information and documents; and (2) ensure that all vital information and documents are translated and made available in the 12 most common languages that are used by persons with limited English proficiency in this State, including, without limitation, auditory, visual, manual or spoken languages. Section 1 further requires, on or before February 1 of each year, the head of each such agency to submit a report to the Governor and the Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau that includes, without limitation: (1) a list of the vital information and documents that were available during the immediately preceding calendar year in the 12 most common languages that are used by persons with limited English proficiency in this State, including, without limitation, auditory, visual, manual or spoken languages; and (2) an explanation of how the agency has made vital information and documents available to persons with limited English proficiency who are served by the agency. Section 2 of this bill defines “vital information and documents” to mean the information and documents that are necessary for a person to understand in order for the person to access the services provided by the agency. Section 2 also makes a conforming change to clarify that the procedures for designating information and documents as vital apply to section 1.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 232.0081
Reprint 1: 232.0081
BDR: 232.0081