BILL AS INTRODUCED H.728
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1 H.728
2 Introduced by Representatives Dodge of Essex, Berbeco of Winooski,
3 Carpenter of Hyde Park, Christie of Hartford, Cina of
4 Burlington, Cole of Hartford, Dolan of Essex Junction, Elder of
5 Starksboro, Farlice-Rubio of Barnet, Garofano of Essex,
6 Goldman of Rockingham, Headrick of Burlington, Houghton of
7 Essex Junction, Howard of Rutland City, Leavitt of Grand Isle,
8 Logan of Burlington, Masland of Thetford, McCann of
9 Montpelier, McGill of Bridport, Mrowicki of Putney,
10 Mulvaney-Stanak of Burlington, Ode of Burlington, Patt of
11 Worcester, Priestley of Bradford, Rachelson of Burlington,
12 Roberts of Halifax, Sims of Craftsbury, Torre of Moretown, and
13 Williams of Barre City
14 Referred to Committee on
15 Date:
16 Subject: Education; English language learners; school enrollment;
17 interpretation services
18 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require school
19 districts, approved independent schools, and prequalified private
20 prekindergarten providers to provide translation services during the school VT LEG #373064 v.1
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1 enrollment process, including the translation of all enrollment forms and
2 applications, for non-English-speaking families.
3 An act relating to the provision of translation services during school
4 enrollment
5 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
6 Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 1077 is added to read:
7 § 1077. TRANSLATION SERVICES DURING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
8 (a) All written enrollment and application forms shall be translated into the
9 primary language of any non-English-speaking family seeking to enroll a child
10 in a school district, approved independent school, or prequalified private
11 prekindergarten provider. Such forms shall include alternative proof of
12 residency forms.
13 (b) School districts, approved independent schools, and prequalified private
14 prekindergarten providers shall provide translation services for any non-
15 English-speaking family during the enrollment process in both public and
16 approved independent schools. Translation services may include:
17 (1) provision of an English learner liaison;
18 (2) in-person interpreters; or
19 (3) the use of a smartphone or computer translation application or
20 device.
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1 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
2 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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