Sen. Martin A. Sandoval
Filed: 3/14/2007
 
 

 




 

 		












09500SB1448sam002

LRB095 11076 AJO 33603 a






1

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 1448




2
    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 1448, AS AMENDED, 
3
by deleting everything after the enacting clause with the 
4
following:

 
5
    "Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the 
6
Access to Governmental Services Act.
 
7
    Section 5. Definitions. 
8
    "Equal access" means to be informed of, participate in, and 
9
benefit from public services offered by a State agency, 
10
constitutional office, or a State program at a level equal to 
11
individuals who do not have limited English proficiency.
12
    "Limited English proficiency" means the inability to 
13
adequately understand or express oneself in the spoken or 
14
written English language.
15
    "Oral language services" includes various methods to 
16
provide verbal information and interpretations, such as staff 
 


 






09500SB1448sam002
- 2 -
LRB095 11076 AJO 33603 a




1
interpreters, bilingual staff, telephone interpreter programs, 
2
and private interpreter programs.
3
    "Important documents" means application or informational 
4
materials, websites, notices, and complaint forms offered by 
5
State agencies, constitutional officers, and State programs, 
6
as defined by rule by the appropriate State agency, 
7
constitutional officer, or State program.  "Important 
8
documents" does not include applications and examinations 
9
related to the licensure, certification, or registration of 
10
businesses and professionals.
11
    "State program" means any program administered by a State 
12
agency, but does not include any program administered, in whole 
13
or in part, by a unit of local government or a school district, 
14
regardless of whether State funds are expended under the 
15
program.
16
    "Sufficient number of qualified bilingual persons in 
17
public contact positions" means the number of qualified 
18
bilingual persons required in order to provide the same level 
19
of service to non-English-speaking persons as is available to 
20
English-speaking persons seeking the same service.
 
21
    Section 10. Language access required. 
22
    (a) Each State agency, constitutional officer, and State 
23
program shall take reasonable steps to provide equal access to 
24
public services for individuals with limited English 
25
proficiency.
 


 






09500SB1448sam002
- 3 -
LRB095 11076 AJO 33603 a




1
    (b) Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public 
2
services include, but are not limited to:
3
        (1) Having a sufficient number of qualified bilingual 
4
    persons in public contact positions or as interpreters to 
5
    assist persons in public contact positions in providing 
6
    services to individuals with limited English proficiency 
7
    where there is documented substantial need due to contact 
8
    between a State agency, constitutional officer, or State 
9
    program and individuals with limited English proficiency.
10
        (2) Translating important documents ordinarily 
11
    provided to the public into any language spoken by any 
12
    limited English proficient population that constitutes at 
13
    least 3% of the overall population of the State  as measured 
14
    by the U.S. Census.
15
    (c) Each State agency, constitutional officer, and State 
16
program shall adopt rules regarding the requirements of this 
17
Section not more than 6 months after the date that this Act 
18
takes effect, or as soon thereafter as possible.
19
    (d) The Illinois Human Rights Commission shall implement a 
20
process to address disputes arising under this Act, including, 
21
but not limited to, disputes concerning the interpretation of 
22
"important documents" and "sufficient number of qualified 
23
bilingual persons in public contact positions", not less than 6 
24
months after the date that this Act takes effect, or as soon 
25
thereafter as possible.".