HB 4792

Abstract

Creates the Access to Governmental Services Act. Requires each constitutional officer, State agency, circuit court clerk, and State program to provide equal access to public services for individuals with "limited English proficiency". Provides definitions of "equal access", "limited English proficiency", "oral language services", "State program", and "important documents". Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services by each constitutional officer, State agency, and State program includes, but is not limited to: in-house oral language services for individuals with limited English proficiency, if the agency or office of the Constitutional officer has contact at least weekly with individuals with limited English proficiency; translation of important documents ordinarily provided to the public must be provided in any language spoken by at least 3% of the population within the State, as measured by the U.S. Census. Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services by each circuit court clerk includes, but is not limited to: in-house oral language services for individuals with limited English proficiency, if the office of the clerk has contact at least weekly with individuals with limited English proficiency; translation of important documents ordinarily provided to the public must be provided in any language spoken by at least 5% of the population within the county served by the circuit clerk, as measured by the U.S. Census; and additional methods necessary to achieve equal access.