Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB1473 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3		EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4	4		[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5	5		Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6	6		Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7	7		amendment.
8		-	Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
9	8		hb1473
10	9
11	10		HOUSE BILL 1473
12		-	P1 (5lr2792)
13		-	ENROLLED BILL
14		-	— Health and Government Operations/Education, Energy, and the Environment —
15		-	Introduced by Delegates Acevero, Addison, Alston, Amprey, Fair, Fennell, Harris,
16		-	Hill, Kerr, Lehman, R. Lewis, Martinez, Mireku–North, Roberson, Ruff,
	11	+	P1 5lr2792
	12	+
	13	+	By: Delegates Acevero, Addison, Alston, Amprey, Fair, Fennell, Harris, Hill, Kerr,
	14	+	Lehman, R. Lewis, Martinez, Mireku –North, Roberson, Ruff,
17	15		Sample–Hughes, Simmons, Simpson, Smith, Taveras, Turner, Williams,
18	16		Woods, Woorman, and Young Young, Bagnall, Bhandari, Cullison, Guzzone,
19	17		S. Johnson, Kaiser, Lopez, Pena –Melnyk, Rosenberg, Ross, and
20	18		White Holland
21		-
22		-	Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
23		-
24		-	_______________________________________________
25		-	Proofreader.
26		-	_______________________________________________
27		-	Proofreader.
28		-
29		-	Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
30		-
31		-	_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
32		-
33		-	______________________________________________
34		-	Speaker.
	19	+	Introduced and read first time: February 7, 2025
	20	+	Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
	21	+	Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
	22	+	House action: Adopted
	23	+	Read second time: March 6, 2025
35	24
36	25		CHAPTER ______
37	26
38	27		AN ACT concerning 1
39	28
40	29		State Government – Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With 2
41	30		Limited English Proficiency and Individuals With Disabilities 3
42	31
43		-	FOR the purpose of requiring the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the 4
44		-	Department of Disabilities to convene an advisory group to make findings and 5
45		-	recommendations on oversight, monitoring, investigation, and enforcement of certain 6
46		-	provisions of law relating to equal access to public services for certain individuals; 7
47		-	altering provisions of law relating to equal access to public services for individuals 8
48		-	with limited English proficiency to include individuals with disabilities; establishing 9
49		-	certain requirements for equal access to public services for certain State 10 2 HOUSE BILL 1473
	32	+	FOR the purpose of altering provisions of law relating to equal access to public services for 4
	33	+	individuals with limited English proficiency to include individuals with disabilities; 5
	34	+	establishing certain requirements for equal access to public services for certain State 6
	35	+	departments, agencies, or programs, including developing a language access plan for 7
	36	+	certain individuals; requiring the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to oversee, 8
	37	+	monitor, investigate, and enforce certain provisions of law; requiring certain State 9
	38	+	departments, agencies, and programs to implement certain provisions of law on or 10
	39	+	before certain dates; and generally relating to equal access to public services for 11
	40	+	individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities. 12
	41	+
	42	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
	43	+	Article – State Government 14
	44	+	Section 9–3301(a) and (e) 15
	45	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 16
	46	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
	47	+
	48	+	BY adding to 18 2 HOUSE BILL 1473
50	49
51	50
52		-	departments, agencies, or programs, including developing a language access plan for 1
53		-	certain individuals; requiring the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to oversee, 2
54		-	monitor, investigate, and enforce certain provisions of law; requiring certain State 3
55		-	departments, agencies, and programs to implement certain provisions of law on or 4
56		-	before certain dates; and generally relating to equal access to public services for 5
57		-	individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities. 6
	51	+	Article – State Government 1
	52	+	Section 9–3303.1 2
	53	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 3
	54	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 4
58	55
59		-	BY repealing and reenacting, ~~without~~ amendments, 7
60		-	Article – State Government 8
61		-	Section 9–~~3301(a)~~ and ~~(e) 9~~
62		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 10
63		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
	56	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 5
	57	+	Article – State Government 6
	58	+	Section 10–1102 and 10–1103 7
	59	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 8
	60	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 9
64	61
65		-	BY adding to 12
66		-	Article – State Government 13
67		-	Section 9–3303.1 14
68		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 15
69		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
	62	+	Preamble 10
70	63
71		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
72		-	Article – State Government 18
73		-	Section 10–1102 and 10–1103 19
74		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 20
75		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
	64	+	WHEREAS, Maryland is a state rich in diverse languages and cultures with more 11
	65	+	than 333,000 residents who identify as having limited English proficiency; and 12
76	66
77		-	BY adding to 22
78		-	Article – State Government 23
79		-	Section 10–1103.1 24
80		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 25
81		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 26
	67	+	WHEREAS, More than 670,000 Marylanders live with a disability or identify as 13
	68	+	having limited English proficiency; and 14
82	69
83		-	Preamble 27
	70	+	WHEREAS, Limited English proficiency designations are impacted by the context, 15
	71	+	such as school, courtroom, and online applications, and type of communication, such as 16
	72	+	speaking, writing, and reading; and 17
84	73
85		-	WHEREAS, ~~Maryland is~~ a ~~state rich in diverse languages and cultures with more 28~~
86		-	~~than 333,000 residents who identify as having limited English proficiency~~; and 29
	74	+	WHEREAS, An individual’s primary and preferred language should never be a 18
	75	+	barrier to access public services; and 19
87	76
88		-	WHEREAS, More than 670,000 Marylanders live with a disability or identify as 30
89		-	having limited English proficiency; and 31
	77	+	WHEREAS, Certain departments, agencies, and programs in State government have 20
	78	+	a duty to provide meaningful access to programs and services to all Marylanders, including 21
	79	+	individuals with limited English proficiency; and 22
90	80
91		-	WHEREAS, ~~Limited English proficiency designations are impacted by~~ the ~~context, 32~~
92		-	~~such as school,~~ ~~courtroom,~~ and ~~online applications,~~ and ~~type of communication,~~ ~~such as 33~~
93		-	~~speaking~~, ~~writing~~, ~~and reading; and 34~~
	81	+	WHEREAS, It is in the interest and obligation of the State to ensure that individuals 23
	82	+	with limited English proficiency are treated with dignity and respect and provided timely 24
	83	+	and effective access to public services; now, therefore, 25
94	84
95		-	WHEREAS, An individual’s primary and preferred language should never be a 35
96		-	barrier to access public services; and 36
	85	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 26
	86	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 27
	87	+
	88	+	Article – State Government 28
	89	+
	90	+	9–3301. 29
	91	+
	92	+	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 30
	93	+
	94	+	(e) “Office” means the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. 31
	95	+
	96	+	9–3303.1. 32
97	97		HOUSE BILL 1473 3
98	98
99	99
100		-	WHEREAS, Certain departments, agencies, and programs in State government have 1
101		-	a duty to provide meaningful access to programs and services to all Marylanders, including 2
102		-	individuals with limited English proficiency; and 3
	100	+	(A) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, THE OFFICE SHALL: 1
103	101
104		-	~~WHEREAS, It is in~~ the ~~interest and obligation of the State to ensure that individuals 4~~
105		-	~~with limited English proficiency are treated with dignity and respect and provided timely 5~~
106		-	~~and effective access to public services~~; ~~now, therefore, 6~~
	102	+	(1) DEVELOP A STRATEGY T O ENFORCE THE REQUIREMENTS UND ER 2
	103	+	§ 10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR EACH IDENTIFIED STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 3
	104	+	OR PROGRAM ; 4
107	105
108		-	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARY LAND, 7
109		-	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 8
	106	+	(2) OVERSEE, MONITOR, INVESTIGATE, AND ENFORCE COMPLIAN CE 5
	107	+	WITH § 10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR EACH IDENTIFIED STATE DEPARTMENT , 6
	108	+	AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 7
110	109
111		-	Article – State Government 9
	110	+	(3) DESIGNATE A LANGUAGE ACCESS COMPLIANCE PR OGRAM 8
	111	+	DIRECTOR; 9
112	112
113		-	9–3301. 10
	113	+	(4) PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE , IN 10
	114	+	CONSULTATION WITH TH E MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND THE 11
	115	+	GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING, ON THE 12
	116	+	DEVELOPMENT AND IMPL EMENTATION OF LANGUA GE ACCESS PLANS AND POLICIES 13
	117	+	TO STATE DEPARTME NTS, AGENCIES, AND PROGRAMS IDENTIF IED UNDER § 14
	118	+	10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 15
114	119
115		-	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 11
	120	+	(5) IN PERFORMING THE DU TIES REQUIRED UNDER THIS 16
	121	+	SUBSECTION, SOLICIT FEEDBACK FRO M STAKEHOLDERS THROU GH PUBLIC 17
	122	+	COMMENT. 18
116	123
117		-	(e) “Office” means the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. 12
	124	+	(B) THE OFFICE MAY DEVELOP AN D UPDATE LANGUAGE AC CESS POLICY 19
	125	+	AND LANGUAGE ACCESS STANDARD OPERATING P ROCEDURE TEMPLATES F OR A 20
	126	+	STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM IDENTIFIE D UNDER § 10–1103 OF THIS 21
	127	+	ARTICLE. 22
118	128
119		-	9–3303.1. 13
	129	+	(C) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2027, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN 23
	130	+	THE ANNUAL BUDGET BI LL AN APPROPRIAT ION OF $400,000 FOR THE OFFICE TO 24
	131	+	IMPLEMENT THE PROVIS IONS OF THIS SECTION . 25
120	132
121		-	~~(A) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, THE OFFICE SHALL: 14~~
	133	+	10–1102. 26
122	134
123		-	(1) DEVELOP A STRATEGY T O ENFORCE THE REQUIR EMENTS UNDER 15
124		-	§ 10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR EACH IDENTIFIED STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 16
125		-	OR PROGRAM ; 17
	135	+	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 27
126	136
127		-	(2) ~~OVERSEE~~, ~~MONITOR, INVESTIGATE~~, AND ~~ENFORCE COMPLIAN CE 18~~
128		-	~~WITH § 10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR EACH IDENTIFIED~~ STATE DEPARTMENT , 19
129		-	~~AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 20~~
	137	+	(b) (1) “Equal access” means to be informed of, participate in, and benefit from 28
	138	+	public services offered by a State department, agency, or program, at a level equal to 29
	139	+	English proficient individuals. 30
130	140
131		-	(3) DESIGNATE A LANGUAGE ACCESS COMPLIANCE PR OGRAM 21
132		-	DIRECTOR; 22
133		-
134		-	(4) PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE , IN 23
135		-	CONSULTATION WITH TH E MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND THE 24
136		-	GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING, ON THE 25
137		-	DEVELOPMENT AND IMPL EMENTATION OF LANGUA GE ACCESS PLANS AND POLICIES 26
138		-	TO STATE DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, AND PROGRAMS IDENTIF IED UNDER § 27
139		-	10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 28
140		-
141		-	(5) IN PERFORMING THE DU TIES REQ UIRED UNDER THIS 29
142		-	SUBSECTION, SOLICIT FEEDBACK FRO M STAKEHOLDERS THROU GH PUBLIC 30
143		-	COMMENT. 31
	141	+	(2) “EQUAL ACCESS” INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE LANGUAGE 31
	142	+	ASSISTANCE THAT : 32
144	143		4 HOUSE BILL 1473
145	144
146	145
147		-	(B) THE OFFICE MAY DEVELOP AN D UPDATE LANGUAGE AC CESS POLICY 1
148		-	AND LANGUAGE ACCESS STANDARD OPERATING P ROCEDURE TEMPLATES F OR A 2
149		-	STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM IDENTIFIED UNDER § 10–1103 OF THIS 3
150		-	ARTICLE. 4
	146	+	(I) ENSURES ACCURATE , TIMELY, AND EFFECTIVE 1
	147	+	COMMUNICATION AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDUAL ; AND 2
151	148
152		-	(C) ~~BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2027~~, ~~THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN 5~~
153		-	~~THE ANNUAL BUDGET BI LL AN APPROPRIATION OF $400,000 FOR THE OFFICE~~ TO 6
154		-	~~IMPLEMENT THE PROVIS IONS OF THIS SECTION~~ . 7
	149	+	(II) IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY RESTRICTED, DELAYED, OR OF 3
	150	+	LOWER QUALITY COMPAR ED TO PROGRAMS OR AC TIVITIES AVAILABLE T O 4
	151	+	ENGLISH–PROFICIENT INDIVIDUA LS. 5
155	152
156		-	10–1102. 8
	153	+	[(c) “Limited English proficiency” means the inability to adequately understand 6
	154	+	or express oneself in the spoken or written English language.] 7
157	155
158		-	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 9
	156	+	(C) “LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ” MEANS A WRITTEN DOCU MENT THAT 8
	157	+	STANDARDIZES THE LAN GUAGE ACCESS COMPLIA NCE POLICY , STANDARD 9
	158	+	OPERATING PROCEDURE , REPORTING, AND COMPLAINT PROCES S FOR EACH STATE 10
	159	+	DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, OR PROGRAM . 11
159	160
160		-	(b) (1) “Equal access” means to be informed of, participate in, and benefit from 10
161		-	public services offered by a State department, agency, or program, at a level equal to 11
162		-	English proficient individuals. 12
	161	+	(d) [“Oral language] “LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE services” includes various 12
	162	+	methods to provide verbal information and interpretation such as: 13
163	163
164		-	(2) ~~“EQUAL ACCESS”~~ ~~INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE LANGUAGE 13~~
165		-	~~ASSISTANCE THAT : 14~~
	164	+	(1) staff interpreters, bilingual staff, telephone interpreter programs, and 14
	165	+	private interpreter programs; AND 15
166	166
167		-	(I) ENSURES ACCURATE , TIMELY, AND EFFECTIVE 15
168		-	COMMUNICATION AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDU AL; AND 16
	167	+	(2) SIGN LANGUAGES , BRAILLE, TDD/TT/TTY, LARGE PRINT, PLAIN 16
	168	+	LANGUAGE, AND OTHER COMMUNICAT ION ACCOMMODATIONS U SED BY 17
	169	+	INDIVIDUALS WITH DIS ABILITIES. 18
169	170
170		-	(II) IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY RESTRICTED, DELAYED, OR OF 17
171		-	LOWER QUALITY COMPAR ED TO PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITI ES AVAILABLE TO 18
172		-	ENGLISH–PROFICIENT INDIVIDUA LS. 19
	171	+	(E) “LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ” MEANS A LIMITED ABIL ITY TO READ, 19
	172	+	WRITE, SPEAK, OR UNDERSTAND ENGLISH IN A MANNER T HAT ALLOWS EFFECTIVE 20
	173	+	COMMUNICATION WITH A STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM TO HAVE 21
	174	+	ACCESS TO AND PARTIC IPATE IN SERVICES , ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR OTHER 22
	175	+	BENEFITS ADMINISTERE D BY THE STATE. 23
173	176
174		-	[(c) “~~Limited English proficiency~~” means the ~~inability to adequately understand 20~~
175		-	or ~~express oneself in~~ the ~~spoken or written English language.] 21~~
	177	+	[(e)] (F) “Program” means all of the operations of a State department, State 24
	178	+	agency, or any other instrumentality of the State. 25
176	179
177		-	(C) “~~LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN~~ ” ~~MEANS~~ A ~~WRITTE N DOCUMENT THAT 22~~
178		-	~~STANDARDIZES~~ THE ~~LAN GUAGE ACCESS COMPLIA NCE POLICY , STANDARD 23~~
179		-	~~OPERATING PROCEDURE~~ , ~~REPORTING~~, ~~AND COMPLAINT PROCES S FOR EACH STATE 24~~
180		-	~~DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM~~ . 25
	180	+	(G) “PUBLIC CONTACT POSITI ONS” ARE POSITIONS IN A STATE 26
	181	+	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE PRIMARY RESPONSI BILITIES 27
	182	+	INCLUDE GREETING , MEETING, OR PROVIDING INFORMA TION OR SERVICES TO THE 28
	183	+	PUBLIC. 29
181	184
182		-	(d) [“Oral language] “LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE services” includes various 26
183		-	methods to provide verbal information and interpretation such as: 27
	185	+	[(f)] (H) (1) “Vital documents” means all applications or informational 30
	186	+	materials, notices, and complaint forms offered by State departments, agencies, and 31
	187	+	programs THAT ARE CRITICAL FO R ACCESSING A STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR 32
	188	+	PROGRAM . 33
	189	+	HOUSE BILL 1473 5
184	190
185		-	(1) staff interpreters, bilingual staff, telephone interpreter programs, and 28
186		-	private interpreter programs; AND 29
187	191
188		-	(2) SIGN LANGUAGES , BRAILLE, TDD/TT/TTY, LARGE PRINT, PLAIN 30
189		-	LANGUAGE, AND OTHER COMMUNICATION ACCOMM ODATIONS USED BY 31
190		-	INDIVIDUALS WITH DIS ABILITIES. 32 HOUSE BILL 1473 5
	192	+	(2) “VITAL DOCUMENTS ” INCLUDE: 1
	193	+
	194	+	(I) EMERGENCY PREPAREDNE SS AND RISK COMMUNIC ATIONS; 2
	195	+
	196	+	(II) ONLINE AND PAPER APP LICATIONS; 3
	197	+
	198	+	(III) CONSENT FORMS ; 4
	199	+
	200	+	(IV) COMPLAINT FORMS ; 5
	201	+
	202	+	(V) ALL CATEGORIES OF LE TTERS OR NOTICES PERTAINING T O 6
	203	+	THE ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE BENEFITS; 7
	204	+
	205	+	(VI) WRITTEN TESTS EVALUA TING COMPETENCY FOR A LICENSE, 8
	206	+	JOB, OR SKILL FOR WHICH ENGLISH PROFICIENCY I S NOT REQUIRED ; 9
	207	+
	208	+	(VII) DOCUMENTS THAT ARE R EQUIRED BY LAW ; AND 10
	209	+
	210	+	(VIII) NOTICES AT NO C OST REGARDING THE AV AILABILITY OF 11
	211	+	LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR INDIVID UALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH 12
	212	+	PROFICIENCY. 13
	213	+
	214	+	[(2)] (3) “Vital documents” does not include applications and 14
	215	+	examinations related to the licensure, certification, or registration under the Health 15
	216	+	Occupations Article, Financial Institutions Article, Business Occupations and Professions 16
	217	+	Article, and Business Regulation Article within the jurisdiction of the Maryland 17
	218	+	Department of Health or the Maryland Department of Labor. 18
	219	+
	220	+	10–1103. 19
	221	+
	222	+	(a) Each State department, agency, or program listed or identified under 20
	223	+	subsection (c) of this section shall: 21
	224	+
	225	+	(1) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (B) OF THIS SECTION , DEVELOP A 22
	226	+	LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ; 23
	227	+
	228	+	(2) take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for 24
	229	+	individuals with limited English proficiency[.] WHO NEED LANGUAGE AS SISTANCE, 25
	230	+	INCLUDING ANY ORAL , WRITTEN, AND SIGN LANGUAGE SE RVICES NEEDED TO ASS IST 26
	231	+	INDIVIDUALS WITH LIM ITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY A ND INDIVIDUALS WITH 27
	232	+	DISABILITIES TO: 28
	233	+
	234	+	(I) COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVE LY WITH STATE PERSONNEL AND 29
	235	+	CONTRACTORS ; 30
	236	+	6 HOUSE BILL 1473
	237	+
	238	+
	239	+	(II) GAIN EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES ; AND 1
	240	+
	241	+	(III) PROVIDE AN EQUAL OPP ORTUNITY TO PARTICIP ATE IN THE 2
	242	+	SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR OTHER BENEFITS PR OVIDED BY A STATE 3
	243	+	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 4
	244	+
	245	+	(3) PROVIDE ORAL LANGUAG E ASSISTANCE , INCLUDING 5
	246	+	INTERPRETATION IN NO N–ENGLISH LANGUAGES PRO VIDED IN PERSON OR 6
	247	+	REMOTELY BY A QUALIF IED INTERPRETER FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH L IMITED 7
	248	+	ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ; 8
	249	+
	250	+	(4) ARRANGE FOR QUALIFIE D BILINGUAL OR MULTILINGUAL S TAFF 9
	251	+	TO COMMUNICATE DIREC TLY WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH 10
	252	+	PROFICIENCY; 11
	253	+
	254	+	(5) PROVIDE NOTICES OF T HE LANGUAGE ASSISTAN CE SERVICES 12
	255	+	THAT ARE AVAILABLE ; AND 13
	256	+
	257	+	[(b) Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services include: 14
	258	+
	259	+	(1) the provision of oral language services for individuals with limited 15
	260	+	English proficiency, which must be through face–to–face, in–house oral language services 16
	261	+	if contact between the agency and individuals with limited English proficiency is on a 17
	262	+	weekly or more frequent basis;] 18
	263	+
	264	+	[(2) (i)] (6) ARRANGE FOR the translation of vital documents 19
	265	+	ordinarily provided to the public into any language spoken by any limited English proficient 20
	266	+	population that constitutes [3%] 0.5% of the [overall] population [within the geographic 21
	267	+	area served by a local office of a] OF THE State [program] as measured by the United States 22
	268	+	Census[; and 23
	269	+
	270	+	(ii) the provision of vital documents translated under item (i) of this 24
	271	+	item on a statewide basis to any local office as necessary; and 25
	272	+
	273	+	(3) any additional methods or means necessary to achieve equal access to 26
	274	+	public services]. 27
	275	+
	276	+	(B) (1) IN DEVELOPING THE LAN GUAGE ACCESS PLAN RE QUIRED UNDER 28
	277	+	SUBSECTION (A)(1) OF THIS SECTION , EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR 29
	278	+	PROGRAM SHALL: 30
	279	+
	280	+	(I) DETERMINE THE NUMBER OR PERCENTAGE OF 31
	281	+	INDIVIDUALS WITH LIM ITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY W HO ARE ELIGIBLE TO B E 32
	282	+	SERVED BY, OR LIKELY TO HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH , THE STATE DEPARTMENT , 33
	283	+	AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 34 HOUSE BILL 1473 7
191	284
192	285
193	286
194		-	(E) “LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ” MEANS A LIMITED ABIL ITY TO READ, 1
195		-	WRITE, SPEAK, OR UNDERSTAND ENGLISH IN A MANNER T HAT ALLOWS EFFECTIVE 2
196		-	COMMUNICATION WITH A STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM TO HAVE 3
197		-	ACCESS TO AND PARTIC IPATE IN SERVICES , ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR OTHER 4
198		-	BENEFITS ADMINISTERE D BY THE STATE. 5
	287	+	(II) ESTIMATE THE FREQUEN CY WITH WHICH INDIVIDUALS 1
	288	+	WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY W ILL COME INTO CONTAC T WITH THE STATE 2
	289	+	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; AND 3
199	290
200		-	~~[(e)]~~ (F) ~~“Program” means all of~~ the ~~operations of a State department,~~ ~~State 6~~
201		-	agency, or ~~any other instrumentality of the State~~. 7
	291	+	(III) DETERMINE THE LANGUA GE ASSISTANCE RESOUR CES 4
	292	+	AVAILABLE TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM . 5
202	293
203		-	(G) “PUBLIC CONTACT POSITI ONS” ARE POSITIONS IN A STATE 8
204		-	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE PRIMARY RESPONSI BILITIES 9
205		-	INCLUDE GREETING , MEETING, OR PROVIDING INFORMA TION OR SERVICES TO THE 10
206		-	PUBLIC. 11
	294	+	(2) EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM SHALL 6
	295	+	UPDATE THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN EVERY 2 YEARS AND INCLUDE : 7
207	296
208		-	[(f)] (H) (1) “Vital documents” means all applications or informational 12
209		-	materials, notices, and complaint forms offered by State departments, agencies, and 13
210		-	programs THAT ARE CRITICAL FO R ACCESSING A STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR 14
211		-	PROGRAM . 15
	297	+	(I) THE TYPES AND DESCRI PTIONS OF LANGUAGE A SSISTANCE 8
	298	+	SERVICES THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM WILL PROV IDE; 9
212	299
213		-	(2) “VITAL DOCUMENTS ” INCLUDE: 16
	300	+	(II) A LIST OF THE LANGUA GES, INCLUDING DIALECTS, OR 10
	301	+	FORMS OF COMMUNICATI ON FOR WHICH A STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR 11
	302	+	PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES AND THE RAT IONALE 12
	303	+	FOR SELECTING THE LA NGUAGES, DIALECTS, OR FORMS OF COMMUNIC ATION; 13
214	304
215		-	(I) EMERGENCY PREPAREDNE SS AND RISK COMMUNIC ATIONS; 17
	305	+	(III) AN EVALUATION AND AS SESSMENT OF TH E ADEQUACY OF 14
	306	+	THE LANGUAGE ASSISTA NCE SERVICES TO BE P ROVIDED; 15
216	307
217		-	(II) ONLINE AND PAPER APP LICATIONS; 18
	308	+	(IV) A DESCRIPTION AND FR EQUENCY OF TRAINING FOR PUBLIC 16
	309	+	CONTACT STAFF ON THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ; 17
218	310
219		-	(III) CONSENT FORMS ; 19
	311	+	(V) THE PROCESS FOR FILI NG A COMPLAINT RELAT ED TO A 18
	312	+	LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICE; AND 19
220	313
221		-	(IV) COMPLAINT FORMS ; 20
	314	+	(VI) A DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDING AND BUDGETAR Y 20
	315	+	SOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN. 21
222	316
223		-	(V) ~~ALL CATEGORIES~~ OF ~~LE TTERS OR NOTICES PER TAINING~~ TO 21
224		-	THE ~~ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE BENEFITS; 22~~
	317	+	(c) (1) The provisions of this section shall be fully implemented according to 22
	318	+	the following schedule: 23
225	319
226		-	(VI) ~~WRITTEN TESTS EVALUATIN G COMPETENCY FOR A L ICENSE~~, 23
227		-	~~JOB, OR SKILL FOR WHICH ENGLISH PROFICIENCY I~~ S ~~NOT REQUIRED~~ ; 24
	320	+	[(1)] (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, FULL IMPLEMEN TATION BY 24
	321	+	THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS; AND 25
228	322
229		-	(~~VII~~) ~~DOCUMENTS THAT ARE R EQUIRED~~ BY ~~LAW ; AND 25~~
	323	+	(II) on or before July 1, [2003] 2028, full implementation by: 26
230	324
231		-	(VIII) NOTICES AT NO COST R EGARDING THE AVAILAB ILITY OF 26
232		-	LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR INDI VIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH 27
233		-	PROFICIENCY. 28
	325	+	[(i) the Department of Human Services; 27
234	326
235		-	[(2)] (3) “Vital documents” does not include applications and 29
236		-	examinations related to the licensure, certification, or registration under the Health 30 6 HOUSE BILL 1473
	327	+	(ii) the Maryland Department of Labor; 28
	328	+
	329	+	(iii) the Maryland Department of Health; 29
	330	+	8 HOUSE BILL 1473
237	331
238	332
239		-	Occupations Article, Financial Institutions Article, Business Occupations and Professions 1
240		-	Article, and Business Regulation Article within the jurisdiction of the Maryland 2
241		-	Department of Health or the Maryland Department of Labor. 3
	333	+	(iv) the Department of Juvenile Services; and 1
242	334
243		-	~~10–1103. 4~~
	335	+	(v) the Workers’ Compensation Commission; 2
244	336
245		-	(a) Each State department, agency, or program listed or identified under 5
246		-	subsection (c) of this section shall: 6
	337	+	(2) on or before July 1, 2004, full implementation by: 3
247	338
248		-	(1) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (B) OF THIS SECTION , DEVELOP A 7
249		-	LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ; 8
	339	+	(i) the Department of Aging; 4
250	340
251		-	(2) take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for 9
252		-	individuals with limited English proficiency[.] WHO NEED LANGUAGE AS SISTANCE, 10
253		-	INCLUDING ANY ORAL , WRITTEN, AND SIGN LANGUAGE SE RVICES NEEDED TO ASSIST 11
254		-	INDIVIDUALS WITH LIM ITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY A ND INDIVIDUALS WITH 12
255		-	DISABILITIES TO: 13
	341	+	(ii) the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; 5
256	342
257		-	(I) ~~COMMUNICATE EFFECTIV ELY WITH STATE PERSONNEL AND 14~~
258		-	~~CONTRACTORS~~ ; 15
	343	+	(iii) the Department of Transportation, not including the Maryland 6
	344	+	Transit Administration; 7
259	345
260		-	(II) ~~GAIN EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES~~ ; ~~AND 16~~
	346	+	(iv) the Commission on Civil Rights; 8
261	347
262		-	(III) PROVIDE AN EQUAL OPP ORTUNITY TO PARTICIP ATE IN THE 17
263		-	SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR OTHER BENEFITS PR OVIDED BY A STATE 18
264		-	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 19
	348	+	(v) the Department of State Police; and 9
265	349
266		-	(3) PROVIDE ORAL LANGUAG E ASSISTANCE , INCLUDING 20
267		-	INTERPRETATION IN NO N–ENGLISH LANGUAGES PRO VIDED IN PERSON OR 21
268		-	REMOTELY BY A QUALIF IED INTERPRETER FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH L IMITED 22
269		-	ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ; 23
	350	+	(vi) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions, to be 10
	351	+	determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 11
	352	+	Attorney General; 12
270	353
271		-	(4) ARRANGE FOR QUALIFIE D BILINGUAL OR MULTI LINGUAL STAFF 24
272		-	TO COMMUNICATE DIREC TLY WITH INDIVI DUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH 25
273		-	PROFICIENCY; 26
	354	+	(3) on or before July 1, 2005, full implementation by: 13
274	355
275		-	(5) PROVIDE NOTICES OF T HE LANGUAGE ASSISTAN CE SERVICES 27
276		-	THAT ARE AVAILABLE ; AND 28
	356	+	(i) the Comptroller of Maryland; 14
277	357
278		-	[(b) ~~Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services include: 29~~
	358	+	(ii) the Department of Housing and Community Development; 15
279	359
280		-	(1) the provision of oral language services for individuals with limited 30
281		-	English proficiency, which must be through face–to–face, in–house oral language services 31
282		-	if contact between the agency and individuals with limited English proficiency is on a 32
283		-	weekly or more frequent basis;] 33 HOUSE BILL 1473 7
	360	+	(iii) the Maryland Transit Administration; 16
	361	+
	362	+	(iv) the Department of Natural Resources; 17
	363	+
	364	+	(v) the Maryland State Department of Education; 18
	365	+
	366	+	(vi) the Office of the Attorney General; and 19
	367	+
	368	+	(vii) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions to be 20
	369	+	determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 21
	370	+	Attorney General; 22
	371	+
	372	+	(4) on or before July 1, 2006, full implementation by: 23
	373	+
	374	+	(i) the Department of Agriculture; 24
	375	+
	376	+	(ii) the Department of Commerce; 25
	377	+
	378	+	(iii) the Department of Veterans and Military Families; 26
	379	+	HOUSE BILL 1473 9
	380	+
	381	+
	382	+	(iv) the Department of the Environment; and 1
	383	+
	384	+	(v) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions to be 2
	385	+	determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 3
	386	+	Attorney General;] 4
	387	+
	388	+	1. THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION; 5
	389	+
	390	+	2. THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS; 6
	391	+
	392	+	3. THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE; 7
	393	+
	394	+	4. THE COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND; 8
	395	+
	396	+	5. THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ; 9
	397	+
	398	+	6. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; 10
	399	+
	400	+	7. THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; 11
	401	+
	402	+	8. FIVE INDEPENDENT AGE NCIES, BOARDS, OR 12
	403	+	COMMISSIONS , TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN 13
	404	+	COLLABORATION WITH T HE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND 14
	405	+
	406	+	[(5)] 9. [on or before July 1, 2025, full implementation by] each 15
	407	+	principal department listed under § 8–201 of this article[; and]. 16
	408	+
	409	+	[(6)] (2) [if] IF a principal department is created on or after October 1, 17
	410	+	[2024] 2028, the principal department shall comply with the requirements of this section 18
	411	+	beginning 1 year after the date on which the principal department is created. 19
	412	+
	413	+	(D) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 EACH YEAR, EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , 20
	414	+	AGENCY, OR PROGRAM IDENTIFIE D UNDER SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L 21
	415	+	SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS THAT 22
	416	+	CONTAINS THE FOLLOWI NG INFORMATION FOR T HE PREVIOUS FISCAL Y EAR: 23
	417	+
	418	+	(1) A SUMMARY OF ALL ACT IVITIES PERFORMED , INCLUDING A 24
	419	+	SELF–ASSESSMENT AND EXPLA NATION OF ANY UNMET OBJECTIVES; 25
	420	+
	421	+	(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED FROM THE TO TAL 26
	422	+	POPULATION SERVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM , 27
	423	+	DISAGGREGATED BY LAN GUAGE; 28
	424	+
	425	+	(3) THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF LANGUAGE ASSISTAN CE SERVICES 29
	426	+	PROVIDED, DISAGGREGATED BY LAN GUAGE; 30 10 HOUSE BILL 1473
284	427
285	428
286	429
287		-	[(2) (i)] (6) (3) ARRANGE FOR the translation of vital documents 1
288		-	ordinarily provided to the public into any language spoken by any limited English proficient 2
289		-	population that constitutes [3%] 0.5% of the [overall] population [within the geographic 3
290		-	area served by a local office of a] OF THE State [program] as measured by the United States 4
291		-	Census[; and 5
	430	+	(4) THE NAMES OF ALL ORG ANIZATIONS RECEIV ING GRANTS OR 1
	431	+	CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FROM THE STATE 2
	432	+	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 3
292	433
293		-	(ii) ~~the provision of vital documents translated under item (i) of this 6~~
294		-	~~item on a statewide basis to any local office as necessary~~; ~~and 7~~
	434	+	(5) AN ITEMIZED BUDGET F OR LANGUAGE ASSISTAN CE SERVICES 4
	435	+	EXPENDITURES ; 5
295	436
296		-	(3) any additional methods or means necessary to achieve equal access to 8
297		-	public services]. 9
	437	+	(6) A LIST OF QUALIFIED BILINGUAL OR MULTILI NGUAL PERSONNEL 6
	438	+	EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC C ONTACT POSITIONS BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 7
	439	+	OR PROGRAM ; AND 8
298	440
299		-	(B) ~~(1) IN DEVELOPING~~ THE ~~LAN GUAGE~~ ACCESS ~~PLAN RE QUIRED UNDER 10~~
300		-	~~SUBSECTION (A)(1)~~ OF ~~THIS SECTION~~ , ~~EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY,~~ ~~OR 11~~
301		-	~~PROGRAM SHALL : 12~~
	441	+	(7) THE NUMBER OF LANGUA GE ACCESS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, THE 9
	442	+	CURRENT STATUS OF TH E COMPLAINTS , AND THE STEPS TAK EN TO RESOLVE THE 10
	443	+	COMPLAINTS . 11
302	444
303		-	(I) DETERMINE THE NUMBER OR PERCENTAGE OF 13
304		-	INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY W HO ARE ELIGIBLE TO B E 14
305		-	SERVED BY, OR LIKELY TO HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH , THE STATE DEPARTMENT , 15
306		-	AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 16
	445	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 12
	446	+	October 1, 2025. 13
307	447
308		-	(II) ESTIMATE THE FREQUEN CY WITH WHICH INDIVI DUALS 17
309		-	WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY W ILL COME INTO C ONTACT WITH THE STATE 18
310		-	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; AND 19
311		-
312		-	(III) DETERMINE THE LANGUA GE ASSISTANCE RESOUR CES 20
313		-	AVAILABLE TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM . 21
314		-
315		-	(2) EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM SHALL 22
316		-	UPDATE THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN EV ERY 2 YEARS AND INCLUDE : 23
317		-
318		-	(I) THE TYPES AND DESCRI PTIONS OF LANGUAGE A SSISTANCE 24
319		-	SERVICES THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM WILL PROV IDE; 25
320		-
321		-	(II) A LIST OF THE LANGUA GES, INCLUDING DIALECTS , OR 26
322		-	FORMS OF COMMUNICATI ON FOR WHICH A STATE DEPART MENT, AGENCY, OR 27
323		-	PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES AND THE RAT IONALE 28
324		-	FOR SELECTING THE LA NGUAGES, DIALECTS, OR FORMS OF COMMUNIC ATION; 29
325		-
326		-	(III) AN EVALUATION AND AS SESSMENT OF THE ADEQ UACY OF 30
327		-	THE LANGUAGE ASSISTA NCE SERVICES TO BE P ROVIDED; 31
328		-	8 HOUSE BILL 1473
329		-
330		-
331		-	(IV) A DESCRIPTION AND FR EQUENCY OF TRAINING FOR PUBLIC 1
332		-	CONTACT STAFF ON THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ; 2
333		-
334		-	(V) THE PROCESS FOR FILI NG A COMPLAINT RELAT ED TO A 3
335		-	LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICE; AND 4
336		-
337		-	(VI) A DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDING AND BUDGETAR Y 5
338		-	SOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE LANGUA GE ACCESS PLAN . 6
339		-
340		-	(c) (1) The provisions of this section shall be fully implemented according to 7
341		-	the following schedule: 8
342		-
343		-	[(1)] (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, FULL IMPLEMENTATION BY 9
344		-	THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS; AND 10
345		-
346		-	(II) on ON or before July 1, [2003] 2028, full implementation THE 11
347		-	PROVISIONS OF THIS S ECTION SHALL BE FULL Y IMPLEMENTED by: 12
348		-
349		-	[(i) the Department of Human Services; 13
350		-
351		-	(ii) the Maryland Department of Labor; 14
352		-
353		-	(iii) the Maryland Department of Health; 15
354		-
355		-	(iv) the Department of Juvenile Services; and 16
356		-
357		-	(v) the Workers’ Compensation Commission; 17
358		-
359		-	(2) on or before July 1, 2004, full implementation by: 18
360		-
361		-	(i) the Department of Aging; 19
362		-
363		-	(ii) the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; 20
364		-
365		-	(iii) the Department of Transportation, not including the Maryland 21
366		-	Transit Administration; 22
367		-
368		-	(iv) the Commission on Civil Rights; 23
369		-
370		-	(v) the Department of State Police; and 24
371		-
372		-	(vi) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions, to be 25
373		-	determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 26
374		-	Attorney General; 27
375		-
376		-	(3) on or before July 1, 2005, full implementation by: 28 HOUSE BILL 1473 9
377		-
378		-
379		-
380		-	(i) the Comptroller of Maryland; 1
381		-
382		-	(ii) the Department of Housing and Community Development; 2
383		-
384		-	(iii) the Maryland Transit Administration; 3
385		-
386		-	(iv) the Department of Natural Resources; 4
387		-
388		-	(v) the Maryland State Department of Education; 5
389		-
390		-	(vi) the Office of the Attorney General; and 6
391		-
392		-	(vii) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions to be 7
393		-	determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 8
394		-	Attorney General; 9
395		-
396		-	(4) on or before July 1, 2006, full implementation by: 10
397		-
398		-	(i) the Department of Agriculture; 11
399		-
400		-	(ii) the Department of Commerce; 12
401		-
402		-	(iii) the Department of Veterans and Military Families; 13
403		-
404		-	(iv) the Department of the Environment; and 14
405		-
406		-	(v) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions to be 15
407		-	determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 16
408		-	Attorney General;] 17
409		-
410		-	1. (I) THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION; 18
411		-
412		-	2. (II) THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS; 19
413		-
414		-	3. (III) THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE; 20
415		-
416		-	4. (IV) THE COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND; 21
417		-
418		-	5. (V) THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ; 22
419		-
420		-	6. (VI) THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; 23
421		-
422		-	7. (VII) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; 24
423		-	10 HOUSE BILL 1473
424		-
425		-
426		-	8. (VIII) FIVE INDEPENDENT AGE NCIES, BOARDS, OR 1
427		-	COMMISSIONS , TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN 2
428		-	COLLABORATION WITH T HE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND 3
429		-
430		-	[(5)] 9. (IX) [on or before July 1, 2025, full implementation by] 4
431		-	each principal department listed under § 8–201 of this article[; and]. 5
432		-
433		-	[(6)] (2) [if] IF a principal department is created on or after October 1, 6
434		-	[2024] 2028, the principal department shall comply with the requirements of this section 7
435		-	beginning 1 year after the date on which the principal department is created. 8
436		-
437		-	(D) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 EACH YEAR, EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , 9
438		-	AGENCY, OR PROGRAM IDENTIFIE D UNDER SUBS ECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L 10
439		-	SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS 11
440		-	MARYLAND LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP THAT CONTAINS THE FO LLOWING 12
441		-	INFORMATION FOR THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR : 13
442		-
443		-	(1) A SUMMARY OF ALL ACT IVITIES PERFORMED , INCLUDING A 14
444		-	SELF–ASSESSMENT AND EXPLA NATION OF ANY UNMET OBJECTIVES; AND 15
445		-
446		-	(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED F ROM THE TOTAL 16
447		-	POPULATION SERVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM , 17
448		-	DISAGGREGATED BY LAN GUAGE; 18
449		-
450		-	(3) THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES 19
451		-	PROVIDED, DISAGGREGATED BY LAN GUAGE; 20
452		-
453		-	(4) THE NAMES OF ALL ORG ANIZATIONS RECEIVING GRANTS OR 21
454		-	CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FROM THE STATE 22
455		-	DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 23
456		-
457		-	(5) AN ITEMIZED BUDGET F OR LANGUAGE ASSIS TANCE SERVICES 24
458		-	EXPENDITURES ; 25
459		-
460		-	(6) A LIST OF QUALIFIED BILINGUAL OR MULTILI NGUAL PERSONNEL 26
461		-	EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC C ONTACT POSITIONS BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 27
462		-	OR PROGRAM ; AND 28
463		-
464		-	(7) THE NUMBER OF LANGUA GE ACCESS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, THE 29
465		-	CURRENT STATUS OF THE COMPLAINTS , AND THE STEPS TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE 30
466		-	COMPLAINTS ANY OTHER PERFORMANC E MEASURES REQUIRED BY THE MARYLAND 31
467		-	LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP. 32
468		-
469		-	10–1103.1. 33 HOUSE BILL 1473 11
470		-
471		-
472		-
473		-	(A) IN THIS SECTION , “ADVISORY GROUP” MEANS THE MARYLAND 1
474		-	LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP. 2
475		-
476		-	(B) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, THE OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT 3
477		-	OF DISABILITIES SHALL CO NVENE THE MARYLAND LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP TO 4
478		-	MAKE FINDINGS AND RE COMMENDATIONS ON OVE RSIGHT, MONITORING , 5
479		-	INVESTIGATION , AND ENFORCEMENT OF T HIS SUBTITLE. 6
480		-
481		-	(C) THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL INCLUDE : 7
482		-
483		-	(1) THE DIRECTOR, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 8
484		-
485		-	(2) THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF 9
486		-	HEARING, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 10
487		-
488		-	(3) THE SECRETARY OF DISABILITIES, OR THE SECRETARY’S 11
489		-	DESIGNEE; 12
490		-
491		-	(4) THE SECRETARY O F LABOR, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 13
492		-
493		-	(5) THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES, OR THE SECRETARY’S 14
494		-	DESIGNEE; 15
495		-
496		-	(6) THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 16
497		-
498		-	(7) THE SECRETARY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY , OR THE 17
499		-	SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; AND 18
500		-
501		-	(8) THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, OR THE STATE 19
502		-	SUPERINTENDENT ’S DESIGNEE. 20
503		-
504		-	(D) THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE AND THE SECRETARY OF 21
505		-	DISABILITIES OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE ARE THE C O–CHAIRS OF THE 22
506		-	ADVISORY GROUP. 23
507		-
508		-	(E) THE STAFFING RESPONSIBILITIES SHA LL BE SHARED BY THE OFFICE 24
509		-	AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES. 25
510		-
511		-	(F) THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL MEET AT L EAST TWICE EACH YEAR . 26
512		-
513		-	(G) (1) THE ADVISORY GROUP MAY ESTABLISH W ORKGROUPS AS 27
514		-	NECESSARY TO COMPLET E THE DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY GROUP. 28
515		-	12 HOUSE BILL 1473
516		-
517		-
518		-	(2) A WORKGROUP ESTABLISHE D UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 1
519		-	SUBSECTION MAY INCLU DE MEMBERS THAT ARE NOT LISTED UNDER SUB SECTION (C) 2
520		-	OF THIS SECTION. 3
521		-
522		-	(H) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 EACH YEAR, THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL: 4
523		-
524		-	(1) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE STATE AND LOCAL 5
525		-	AGENCIES AND COMMUNI TY ORGANIZATIONS : 6
526		-
527		-	(I) REVIEW ANY LANGUAGE ACCESS PLANS , AS DEFINED IN § 7
528		-	10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE, DEVELOPED BY STATE DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, AND 8
529		-	PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP A TEMPLATE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN; 9
530		-
531		-	(II) REVIEW L AWS AND BEST PRACTIC ES OF LOCAL 10
532		-	JURISDICTIONS AND OT HER STATES RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS ; 11
533		-
534		-	(III) DEVELOP A TEMPLATE L ANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN , AS 12
535		-	DEFINED IN § 10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE, FOR STATE DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, OR 13
536		-	PROGRAMS; 14
537		-
538		-	(IV) DEVELOP A TEMPLATE LANGUAGE AC CESS POLICY AND 15
539		-	TEMPLATE LANGUAGE AC CESS STANDARD OPERAT ING PROCEDURE FOR STATE 16
540		-	DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, OR PROGRAMS ; 17
541		-
542		-	(V) RECOMMEND AT LEAST O NE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 18
543		-	OR PROGRAM TO PERFOR M OVERSIGHT , MONITORING , INVESTIGATION , AND 19
544		-	ENFORCEMENT OF THIS SUBTITLE; 20
545		-
546		-	(VI) ESTABLISH A FRAMEWOR K TO ASSESS IF STATE 21
547		-	DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, AND PROGRAMS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH § 10–1103 OF 22
548		-	THIS SUBTITLE; AND 23
549		-
550		-	(VII) SOLICIT INPUT FROM T HE STAKEHOLDERS IDEN TIFIED 24
551		-	UNDER ITEM (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION; 25
552		-
553		-	(2) SOLICIT INPUT FROM : 26
554		-
555		-	(I) LEGAL AND SOCIAL SER VICES ORGANIZATIONS THAT 27
556		-	PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH LIM ITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY , AS 28
557		-	DEFINED IN § 10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 29
558		-
559		-	(II) LEGAL AND SOCIAL SER VICES ORGANIZATIONS THAT 30
560		-	PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIV IDUALS WITH DISABILI TIES; 31
561		-	HOUSE BILL 1473 13
562		-
563		-
564		-	(III) DISABILITY RIGHTS AD VOCACY ORGANIZATIONS ; 1
565		-
566		-	(IV) IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS ADVOCACY ORGA NIZATIONS; 2
567		-
568		-	(V) INDIVIDUALS WITH LIV ED EXPERIENCE WITH L IMITED 3
569		-	ENGLISH PROFICIENCY , AS DEFINED IN § 10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE, SIGN 4
570		-	LANGUAGE, VISUAL DISABILITIES , OR OTHER COMMUNICATI ON DISABILITIES; AND 5
571		-
572		-	(VI) OTHER RELEVANT STAKE HOLDERS. 6
573		-
574		-	(I) (1) ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1 EACH YEAR, THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL 7
575		-	SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REP ORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 8
576		-	2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE. 9
577		-
578		-	(2) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE: 10
579		-
580		-	(I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK OF THE ADVISORY GROUP; 11
581		-	AND 12
582		-
583		-	(II) ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY GROUP. 13
584		-
585		-	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 14
586		-	October 1, 2025. 15
587	448
588	449
589	450
590	451		Approved:
591	452		________________________________________________________________________________
592	453		Governor.
593	454		________________________________________________________________________________
594	455		Speaker of the House of Delegates.
595	456		________________________________________________________________________________
596	457		President of the Senate.