BILL NUMBER: S5535
SPONSOR: BASKIN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, the public authorities law and the
county law, in relation to enacting the "language access expansion act"
and requiring certain documents and forms to be provided in multiple
languages
 
PURPOSE:
To expand and enhance translation and interpretation services throughout
the State of New York.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Amends Subdivision 1 of Section 202-a of the Executive Law by requiring
state agencies to translate important documents into at least the twelve
most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient
individuals, including the most common non-English languages spoken. by
individuals who arrived within the last five years. Requires trans-
lations to be made by state agencies into the three most common non-
English languages spoken in the region of the agency. Requires each
agency to provide interpretation services to individuals in their prima-
ry or preferred language.
Amends Article 9 of the Public Authorities Law by granting the Office of
Language Access discretion over which public authorities shall be
required to make translation and interpretation services available.
Amends the County Law by requiring every county in the state to make
translations available in accordance with its region and limited English
proficient population, as well as interpretation services.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Language access is a matter of more than just convenience, it's a matter
of equity, dignity, and civil rights. Yet, for New York's foreign-speak-
ing residents, having access to interpreters including translated infor-
mation means being able to navigate the healthcare system, finding
stable housing, being informed about their children's education, and
understanding their own legal and civil rights. Without access to
trained interpreters and translated documents, millions of New Yorkers
are effectively shut out of government services. New York is a diverse
state and effective language access is required for effective government
services in this state.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.3381A Kennedy passed the Senate
2021-2022: S.5236B Kenney passed the Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5535: 202-a executive law, 202-a(1) executive law