103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1921

 

Introduced 2/9/2023, by Sen. Rachel Ventura

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act
30 ILCS 805/8.47 new

    Creates the Access to Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act. Provides that a State or local department or agency shall take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency. Includes examples of reasonable steps that shall be taken. Provides that a State or local department or agency shall adopt rules regarding the requirements within 6 months after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Department of Human Resources, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall provide central coordination and technical assistance to departments and agencies to help them comply with the provisions. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.


LRB103 28924 AWJ 55310 b

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB1921LRB103 28924 AWJ 55310 b

1    AN ACT concerning government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Access
5to Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act.
 
6    Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
7    "Equal access" means to be informed of, participate in,
8and benefit from public services or programs offered by the
9State of Illinois, its departments, agencies, or political
10subdivisions, including, but not limited to, municipalities
11and counties, at a level equal to English-proficient
12individuals.
13    "Limited English proficiency" means the inability to
14adequately and effectively understand or express oneself in
15either spoken or written English.
16    "Oral language services" includes various methods to
17provide verbal information and interpretations such as staff
18interpreters, bilingual staff, telephone interpreter programs,
19and private interpreter programs.
20    "Vital documents" means applications or informational
21materials and notice and complaint forms offered by State or
22local departments, agencies, and programs. "Vital documents"
23does not include applications and examinations related to the

 

 

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1licensure, certification, or registration of businesses and
2professionals.
 
3    Section 10. Language access requirements.
4    (a) Each State and local department and agency shall take
5reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services
6for individuals with limited English proficiency.
7    (b) Reasonable steps, as referenced in subsection (a), to
8provide equal access to public services include:
9        (1) in-house oral language services for individuals
10    with limited English proficiency, if the contact between a
11    department or agency and the individuals with limited
12    English proficiency is on a weekly or more frequent basis;
13        (2) the translation of vital documents ordinarily
14    provided to the public into any language English
15    proficiency population that constitutes at least 3% of the
16    population of the State as measured by the federal
17    decennial census. Any changes needed to be made to be in
18    compliance with this requirement following a new federal
19    decennial census shall result in the modification of the
20    languages offered as required by this Act; and
21        (3) any additional method that is necessary for the
22    department or agency to carry out its activities
23    effectively and efficiently.
24    (c) Each department and agency shall adopt rules regarding
25the requirements of this Section within 6 months after the

 

 

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1effective date of this Act.
2    (d) The Department of Human Resources, in consultation
3with the Office of the Attorney General, shall provide central
4coordination and technical assistance to departments and
5agencies to help them comply with this Section.
 
6    Section 90. Home rule. A home rule unit may not regulate
7the unit's departments or agencies in a manner inconsistent
8with this Act. This Act is a limitation under subsection (i) of
9Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the
10concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions
11exercised by the State.
 
12    Section 95. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding
13Section 8.47 as follows:
 
14    (30 ILCS 805/8.47 new)
15    Sec. 8.47. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and
168 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for
17the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory
18Act of the 103rd General Assembly.