EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments.
*hb1473*
HOUSE BILL 1473
P1 (5lr2792)
ENROLLED BILL
— Health and Government Operations/Education, Energy, and the Environment —
Introduced by Delegates Acevero, Addison, Alston, Amprey, Fair, Fennell, Harris,
Hill, Kerr, Lehman, R. Lewis, Martinez, Mireku–North, Roberson, Ruff,
Sample–Hughes, Simmons, Simpson, Smith, Taveras, Turner, Williams,
Woods, Woorman, and Young Young, Bagnall, Bhandari, Cullison, Guzzone,
S. Johnson, Kaiser, Lopez, Pena –Melnyk, Rosenberg, Ross, and
White Holland
Read and Examined by Proofreaders:
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
_______________________________________________
Proofreader.
Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this
_______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M.
______________________________________________
Speaker.
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
State Government – Equal Access to Public Services for Individuals With 2
Limited English Proficiency and Individuals With Disabilities 3
FOR the purpose of requiring the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the 4
Department of Disabilities to convene an advisory group to make findings and 5
recommendations on oversight, monitoring, investigation, and enforcement of certain 6
provisions of law relating to equal access to public services for certain individuals; 7
altering provisions of law relating to equal access to public services for individuals 8
with limited English proficiency to include individuals with disabilities; establishing 9
certain requirements for equal access to public services for certain State 10 2 HOUSE BILL 1473
departments, agencies, or programs, including developing a language access plan for 1
certain individuals; requiring the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to oversee, 2
monitor, investigate, and enforce certain provisions of law; requiring certain State 3
departments, agencies, and programs to implement certain provisions of law on or 4
before certain dates; and generally relating to equal access to public services for 5
individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities. 6
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 7
Article – State Government 8
Section 9–3301(a) and (e) 9
Annotated Code of Maryland 10
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 11
BY adding to 12
Article – State Government 13
Section 9–3303.1 14
Annotated Code of Maryland 15
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 16
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 17
Article – State Government 18
Section 10–1102 and 10–1103 19
Annotated Code of Maryland 20
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 21
BY adding to 22
Article – State Government 23
Section 10–1103.1 24
Annotated Code of Maryland 25
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 26
Preamble 27
WHEREAS, Maryland is a state rich in diverse languages and cultures with more 28
than 333,000 residents who identify as having limited English proficiency; and 29
WHEREAS, More than 670,000 Marylanders live with a disability or identify as 30
having limited English proficiency; and 31
WHEREAS, Limited English proficiency designations are impacted by the context, 32
such as school, courtroom, and online applications, and type of communication, such as 33
speaking, writing, and reading; and 34
WHEREAS, An individual’s primary and preferred language should never be a 35
barrier to access public services; and 36
HOUSE BILL 1473 3
WHEREAS, Certain departments, agencies, and programs in State government have 1
a duty to provide meaningful access to programs and services to all Marylanders, including 2
individuals with limited English proficiency; and 3
WHEREAS, It is in the interest and obligation of the State to ensure that individuals 4
with limited English proficiency are treated with dignity and respect and provided timely 5
and effective access to public services; now, therefore, 6
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARY LAND, 7
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 8
Article – State Government 9
9–3301. 10
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 11
(e) “Office” means the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. 12
9–3303.1. 13
(A) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, THE OFFICE SHALL: 14
(1) DEVELOP A STRATEGY T O ENFORCE THE REQUIR EMENTS UNDER 15
§ 10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR EACH IDENTIFIED STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 16
OR PROGRAM ; 17
(2) OVERSEE, MONITOR, INVESTIGATE, AND ENFORCE COMPLIAN CE 18
WITH § 10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE FOR EACH IDENTIFIED STATE DEPARTMENT , 19
AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 20
(3) DESIGNATE A LANGUAGE ACCESS COMPLIANCE PR OGRAM 21
DIRECTOR; 22
(4) PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE , IN 23
CONSULTATION WITH TH E MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES AND THE 24
GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING, ON THE 25
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPL EMENTATION OF LANGUA GE ACCESS PLANS AND POLICIES 26
TO STATE DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, AND PROGRAMS IDENTIF IED UNDER § 27
10–1103 OF THIS ARTICLE; AND 28
(5) IN PERFORMING THE DU TIES REQ UIRED UNDER THIS 29
SUBSECTION, SOLICIT FEEDBACK FRO M STAKEHOLDERS THROU GH PUBLIC 30
COMMENT. 31
4 HOUSE BILL 1473
(B) THE OFFICE MAY DEVELOP AN D UPDATE LANGUAGE AC CESS POLICY 1
AND LANGUAGE ACCESS STANDARD OPERATING P ROCEDURE TEMPLATES F OR A 2
STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM IDENTIFIED UNDER § 10–1103 OF THIS 3
ARTICLE. 4
(C) BEGINNING IN FISCAL Y EAR 2027, THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUD E IN 5
THE ANNUAL BUDGET BI LL AN APPROPRIATION OF $400,000 FOR THE OFFICE TO 6
IMPLEMENT THE PROVIS IONS OF THIS SECTION . 7
10–1102. 8
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 9
(b) (1) “Equal access” means to be informed of, participate in, and benefit from 10
public services offered by a State department, agency, or program, at a level equal to 11
English proficient individuals. 12
(2) “EQUAL ACCESS” INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE LANGUAGE 13
ASSISTANCE THAT : 14
(I) ENSURES ACCURATE , TIMELY, AND EFFECTIVE 15
COMMUNICATION AT NO COST TO THE INDIVIDU AL; AND 16
(II) IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY RESTRICTED, DELAYED, OR OF 17
LOWER QUALITY COMPAR ED TO PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITI ES AVAILABLE TO 18
ENGLISH–PROFICIENT INDIVIDUA LS. 19
[(c) “Limited English proficiency” means the inability to adequately understand 20
or express oneself in the spoken or written English language.] 21
(C) “LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ” MEANS A WRITTE N DOCUMENT THAT 22
STANDARDIZES THE LAN GUAGE ACCESS COMPLIA NCE POLICY , STANDARD 23
OPERATING PROCEDURE , REPORTING, AND COMPLAINT PROCES S FOR EACH STATE 24
DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM . 25
(d) [“Oral language] “LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE services” includes various 26
methods to provide verbal information and interpretation such as: 27
(1) staff interpreters, bilingual staff, telephone interpreter programs, and 28
private interpreter programs; AND 29
(2) SIGN LANGUAGES , BRAILLE, TDD/TT/TTY, LARGE PRINT, PLAIN 30
LANGUAGE, AND OTHER COMMUNICATION ACCOMM ODATIONS USED BY 31
INDIVIDUALS WITH DIS ABILITIES. 32 HOUSE BILL 1473 5
(E) “LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ” MEANS A LIMITED ABIL ITY TO READ, 1
WRITE, SPEAK, OR UNDERSTAND ENGLISH IN A MANNER T HAT ALLOWS EFFECTIVE 2
COMMUNICATION WITH A STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM TO HAVE 3
ACCESS TO AND PARTIC IPATE IN SERVICES , ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR OTHER 4
BENEFITS ADMINISTERE D BY THE STATE. 5
[(e)] (F) “Program” means all of the operations of a State department, State 6
agency, or any other instrumentality of the State. 7
(G) “PUBLIC CONTACT POSITI ONS” ARE POSITIONS IN A STATE 8
DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM FOR WHICH THE PRIMARY RESPONSI BILITIES 9
INCLUDE GREETING , MEETING, OR PROVIDING INFORMA TION OR SERVICES TO THE 10
PUBLIC. 11
[(f)] (H) (1) “Vital documents” means all applications or informational 12
materials, notices, and complaint forms offered by State departments, agencies, and 13
programs THAT ARE CRITICAL FO R ACCESSING A STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR 14
PROGRAM . 15
(2) “VITAL DOCUMENTS ” INCLUDE: 16
(I) EMERGENCY PREPAREDNE SS AND RISK COMMUNIC ATIONS; 17
(II) ONLINE AND PAPER APP LICATIONS; 18
(III) CONSENT FORMS ; 19
(IV) COMPLAINT FORMS ; 20
(V) ALL CATEGORIES OF LE TTERS OR NOTICES PER TAINING TO 21
THE ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE BENEFITS; 22
(VI) WRITTEN TESTS EVALUATIN G COMPETENCY FOR A L ICENSE, 23
JOB, OR SKILL FOR WHICH ENGLISH PROFICIENCY I S NOT REQUIRED ; 24
(VII) DOCUMENTS THAT ARE R EQUIRED BY LAW ; AND 25
(VIII) NOTICES AT NO COST R EGARDING THE AVAILAB ILITY OF 26
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR INDI VIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH 27
PROFICIENCY. 28
[(2)] (3) “Vital documents” does not include applications and 29
examinations related to the licensure, certification, or registration under the Health 30 6 HOUSE BILL 1473
Occupations Article, Financial Institutions Article, Business Occupations and Professions 1
Article, and Business Regulation Article within the jurisdiction of the Maryland 2
Department of Health or the Maryland Department of Labor. 3
10–1103. 4
(a) Each State department, agency, or program listed or identified under 5
subsection (c) of this section shall: 6
(1) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (B) OF THIS SECTION , DEVELOP A 7
LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ; 8
(2) take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for 9
individuals with limited English proficiency[.] WHO NEED LANGUAGE AS SISTANCE, 10
INCLUDING ANY ORAL , WRITTEN, AND SIGN LANGUAGE SE RVICES NEEDED TO ASSIST 11
INDIVIDUALS WITH LIM ITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY A ND INDIVIDUALS WITH 12
DISABILITIES TO: 13
(I) COMMUNICATE EFFECTIV ELY WITH STATE PERSONNEL AND 14
CONTRACTORS ; 15
(II) GAIN EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES ; AND 16
(III) PROVIDE AN EQUAL OPP ORTUNITY TO PARTICIP ATE IN THE 17
SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, OR OTHER BENEFITS PR OVIDED BY A STATE 18
DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 19
(3) PROVIDE ORAL LANGUAG E ASSISTANCE , INCLUDING 20
INTERPRETATION IN NO N–ENGLISH LANGUAGES PRO VIDED IN PERSON OR 21
REMOTELY BY A QUALIF IED INTERPRETER FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH L IMITED 22
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ; 23
(4) ARRANGE FOR QUALIFIE D BILINGUAL OR MULTI LINGUAL STAFF 24
TO COMMUNICATE DIREC TLY WITH INDIVI DUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH 25
PROFICIENCY; 26
(5) PROVIDE NOTICES OF T HE LANGUAGE ASSISTAN CE SERVICES 27
THAT ARE AVAILABLE ; AND 28
[(b) Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services include: 29
(1) the provision of oral language services for individuals with limited 30
English proficiency, which must be through face–to–face, in–house oral language services 31
if contact between the agency and individuals with limited English proficiency is on a 32
weekly or more frequent basis;] 33 HOUSE BILL 1473 7
[(2) (i)] (6) (3) ARRANGE FOR the translation of vital documents 1
ordinarily provided to the public into any language spoken by any limited English proficient 2
population that constitutes [3%] 0.5% of the [overall] population [within the geographic 3
area served by a local office of a] OF THE State [program] as measured by the United States 4
Census[; and 5
(ii) the provision of vital documents translated under item (i) of this 6
item on a statewide basis to any local office as necessary; and 7
(3) any additional methods or means necessary to achieve equal access to 8
public services]. 9
(B) (1) IN DEVELOPING THE LAN GUAGE ACCESS PLAN RE QUIRED UNDER 10
SUBSECTION (A)(1) OF THIS SECTION , EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR 11
PROGRAM SHALL : 12
(I) DETERMINE THE NUMBER OR PERCENTAGE OF 13
INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY W HO ARE ELIGIBLE TO B E 14
SERVED BY, OR LIKELY TO HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH , THE STATE DEPARTMENT , 15
AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 16
(II) ESTIMATE THE FREQUEN CY WITH WHICH INDIVI DUALS 17
WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY W ILL COME INTO C ONTACT WITH THE STATE 18
DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; AND 19
(III) DETERMINE THE LANGUA GE ASSISTANCE RESOUR CES 20
AVAILABLE TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM . 21
(2) EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM SHALL 22
UPDATE THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN EV ERY 2 YEARS AND INCLUDE : 23
(I) THE TYPES AND DESCRI PTIONS OF LANGUAGE A SSISTANCE 24
SERVICES THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM WILL PROV IDE; 25
(II) A LIST OF THE LANGUA GES, INCLUDING DIALECTS , OR 26
FORMS OF COMMUNICATI ON FOR WHICH A STATE DEPART MENT, AGENCY, OR 27
PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES AND THE RAT IONALE 28
FOR SELECTING THE LA NGUAGES, DIALECTS, OR FORMS OF COMMUNIC ATION; 29
(III) AN EVALUATION AND AS SESSMENT OF THE ADEQ UACY OF 30
THE LANGUAGE ASSISTA NCE SERVICES TO BE P ROVIDED; 31
8 HOUSE BILL 1473
(IV) A DESCRIPTION AND FR EQUENCY OF TRAINING FOR PUBLIC 1
CONTACT STAFF ON THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN ; 2
(V) THE PROCESS FOR FILI NG A COMPLAINT RELAT ED TO A 3
LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICE; AND 4
(VI) A DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDING AND BUDGETAR Y 5
SOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE LANGUA GE ACCESS PLAN . 6
(c) (1) The provisions of this section shall be fully implemented according to 7
the following schedule: 8
[(1)] (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2027, FULL IMPLEMENTATION BY 9
THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS; AND 10
(II) on ON or before July 1, [2003] 2028, full implementation THE 11
PROVISIONS OF THIS S ECTION SHALL BE FULL Y IMPLEMENTED by: 12
[(i) the Department of Human Services; 13
(ii) the Maryland Department of Labor; 14
(iii) the Maryland Department of Health; 15
(iv) the Department of Juvenile Services; and 16
(v) the Workers’ Compensation Commission; 17
(2) on or before July 1, 2004, full implementation by: 18
(i) the Department of Aging; 19
(ii) the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; 20
(iii) the Department of Transportation, not including the Maryland 21
Transit Administration; 22
(iv) the Commission on Civil Rights; 23
(v) the Department of State Police; and 24
(vi) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions, to be 25
determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 26
Attorney General; 27
(3) on or before July 1, 2005, full implementation by: 28 HOUSE BILL 1473 9
(i) the Comptroller of Maryland; 1
(ii) the Department of Housing and Community Development; 2
(iii) the Maryland Transit Administration; 3
(iv) the Department of Natural Resources; 4
(v) the Maryland State Department of Education; 5
(vi) the Office of the Attorney General; and 6
(vii) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions to be 7
determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 8
Attorney General; 9
(4) on or before July 1, 2006, full implementation by: 10
(i) the Department of Agriculture; 11
(ii) the Department of Commerce; 12
(iii) the Department of Veterans and Military Families; 13
(iv) the Department of the Environment; and 14
(v) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions to be 15
determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in consultation with the Office of the 16
Attorney General;] 17
1. (I) THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COMMISSION; 18
2. (II) THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS; 19
3. (III) THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE POLICE; 20
4. (IV) THE COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND; 21
5. (V) THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION ; 22
6. (VI) THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; 23
7. (VII) THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; 24
10 HOUSE BILL 1473
8. (VIII) FIVE INDEPENDENT AGE NCIES, BOARDS, OR 1
COMMISSIONS , TO BE DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN 2
COLLABORATION WITH T HE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; AND 3
[(5)] 9. (IX) [on or before July 1, 2025, full implementation by] 4
each principal department listed under § 8–201 of this article[; and]. 5
[(6)] (2) [if] IF a principal department is created on or after October 1, 6
[2024] 2028, the principal department shall comply with the requirements of this section 7
beginning 1 year after the date on which the principal department is created. 8
(D) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30 EACH YEAR, EACH STATE DEPARTMENT , 9
AGENCY, OR PROGRAM IDENTIFIE D UNDER SUBS ECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L 10
SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS 11
MARYLAND LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP THAT CONTAINS THE FO LLOWING 12
INFORMATION FOR THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR : 13
(1) A SUMMARY OF ALL ACT IVITIES PERFORMED , INCLUDING A 14
SELF–ASSESSMENT AND EXPLA NATION OF ANY UNMET OBJECTIVES; AND 15
(2) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED F ROM THE TOTAL 16
POPULATION SERVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM , 17
DISAGGREGATED BY LAN GUAGE; 18
(3) THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES 19
PROVIDED, DISAGGREGATED BY LAN GUAGE; 20
(4) THE NAMES OF ALL ORG ANIZATIONS RECEIVING GRANTS OR 21
CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE SERVICES FROM THE STATE 22
DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, OR PROGRAM ; 23
(5) AN ITEMIZED BUDGET F OR LANGUAGE ASSIS TANCE SERVICES 24
EXPENDITURES ; 25
(6) A LIST OF QUALIFIED BILINGUAL OR MULTILI NGUAL PERSONNEL 26
EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC C ONTACT POSITIONS BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 27
OR PROGRAM ; AND 28
(7) THE NUMBER OF LANGUA GE ACCESS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, THE 29
CURRENT STATUS OF THE COMPLAINTS , AND THE STEPS TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE 30
COMPLAINTS ANY OTHER PERFORMANC E MEASURES REQUIRED BY THE MARYLAND 31
LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP. 32
10–1103.1. 33 HOUSE BILL 1473 11
(A) IN THIS SECTION , “ADVISORY GROUP” MEANS THE MARYLAND 1
LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP. 2
(B) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, THE OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT 3
OF DISABILITIES SHALL CO NVENE THE MARYLAND LANGUAGE ADVISORY GROUP TO 4
MAKE FINDINGS AND RE COMMENDATIONS ON OVE RSIGHT, MONITORING , 5
INVESTIGATION , AND ENFORCEMENT OF T HIS SUBTITLE. 6
(C) THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL INCLUDE : 7
(1) THE DIRECTOR, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 8
(2) THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEAF AND HARD OF 9
HEARING, OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE; 10
(3) THE SECRETARY OF DISABILITIES, OR THE SECRETARY’S 11
DESIGNEE; 12
(4) THE SECRETARY O F LABOR, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 13
(5) THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES, OR THE SECRETARY’S 14
DESIGNEE; 15
(6) THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 16
(7) THE SECRETARY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY , OR THE 17
SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; AND 18
(8) THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, OR THE STATE 19
SUPERINTENDENT ’S DESIGNEE. 20
(D) THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR’S DESIGNEE AND THE SECRETARY OF 21
DISABILITIES OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE ARE THE C O–CHAIRS OF THE 22
ADVISORY GROUP. 23
(E) THE STAFFING RESPONSIBILITIES SHA LL BE SHARED BY THE OFFICE 24
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES. 25
(F) THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL MEET AT L EAST TWICE EACH YEAR . 26
(G) (1) THE ADVISORY GROUP MAY ESTABLISH W ORKGROUPS AS 27
NECESSARY TO COMPLET E THE DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY GROUP. 28
12 HOUSE BILL 1473
(2) A WORKGROUP ESTABLISHE D UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 1
SUBSECTION MAY INCLU DE MEMBERS THAT ARE NOT LISTED UNDER SUB SECTION (C) 2
OF THIS SECTION. 3
(H) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 EACH YEAR, THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL: 4
(1) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE STATE AND LOCAL 5
AGENCIES AND COMMUNI TY ORGANIZATIONS : 6
(I) REVIEW ANY LANGUAGE ACCESS PLANS , AS DEFINED IN § 7
10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE, DEVELOPED BY STATE DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, AND 8
PROGRAMS TO DEVELOP A TEMPLATE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN; 9
(II) REVIEW L AWS AND BEST PRACTIC ES OF LOCAL 10
JURISDICTIONS AND OT HER STATES RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS ; 11
(III) DEVELOP A TEMPLATE L ANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN , AS 12
DEFINED IN § 10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE, FOR STATE DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, OR 13
PROGRAMS; 14
(IV) DEVELOP A TEMPLATE LANGUAGE AC CESS POLICY AND 15
TEMPLATE LANGUAGE AC CESS STANDARD OPERAT ING PROCEDURE FOR STATE 16
DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, OR PROGRAMS ; 17
(V) RECOMMEND AT LEAST O NE STATE DEPARTMENT , AGENCY, 18
OR PROGRAM TO PERFOR M OVERSIGHT , MONITORING , INVESTIGATION , AND 19
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS SUBTITLE; 20
(VI) ESTABLISH A FRAMEWOR K TO ASSESS IF STATE 21
DEPARTMENTS , AGENCIES, AND PROGRAMS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH § 10–1103 OF 22
THIS SUBTITLE; AND 23
(VII) SOLICIT INPUT FROM T HE STAKEHOLDERS IDEN TIFIED 24
UNDER ITEM (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION; 25
(2) SOLICIT INPUT FROM : 26
(I) LEGAL AND SOCIAL SER VICES ORGANIZATIONS THAT 27
PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH LIM ITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY , AS 28
DEFINED IN § 10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 29
(II) LEGAL AND SOCIAL SER VICES ORGANIZATIONS THAT 30
PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIV IDUALS WITH DISABILI TIES; 31
HOUSE BILL 1473 13
(III) DISABILITY RIGHTS AD VOCACY ORGANIZATIONS ; 1
(IV) IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS ADVOCACY ORGA NIZATIONS; 2
(V) INDIVIDUALS WITH LIV ED EXPERIENCE WITH L IMITED 3
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY , AS DEFINED IN § 10–1102 OF THIS SUBTITLE, SIGN 4
LANGUAGE, VISUAL DISABILITIES , OR OTHER COMMUNICATI ON DISABILITIES; AND 5
(VI) OTHER RELEVANT STAKE HOLDERS. 6
(I) (1) ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1 EACH YEAR, THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL 7
SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REP ORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 8
2–1257 OF THIS ARTICLE. 9
(2) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE: 10
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK OF THE ADVISORY GROUP; 11
AND 12
(II) ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY GROUP. 13
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 14
October 1, 2025. 15
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.