SB0334 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB094 05047 AJO 35082 b

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
SB0334

Introduced 2/15/2005, by Sen. Martin A. Sandoval

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

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", and "important documents". Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public service includes, but is not limited to: in-house oral language services for individuals with limited English proficiency if the agency or 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 geographic area served by a local office of a State agency, constitutional officer, or county as measured by the U.S. Census; and additional methods necessary to achieve equal access.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning access to governmental services.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Access to Governmental Services Act.

Section 5. Definitions.

"Equal access" means to be informed of, participate in, and benefit from public services offered by a State agency, circuit court, constitutional office, or a State program at a level equal to individuals who do not have limited English proficiency.

"Limited English proficiency" means the inability to adequately understand or express oneself in the spoken or written English language.

"Oral language services" includes various methods to provide verbal information and interpretations, such as staff interpreters, bilingual staff, telephone interpreter programs, and private interpreter programs.

"Important documents" means application or informational materials, websites, notices, and complaint forms offered by State agencies, constitutional officers, circuit court clerks, and State programs. "Important documents" does not include applications and examinations related to the licensure, certification, or registration of businesses and professionals.

Section 10. Language access required.

(a) Each State agency, constitutional officer, circuit court clerk, and State program shall take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency.

(b) Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public service include, but are not limited to:

(1) In-house oral language services for individuals with limited English proficiency if contact between a State agency, constitutional officer, circuit court clerk, or State program and individuals with limited English proficiency is on a weekly or more frequent basis.

(2) The translation of important documents ordinarily provided to the public in any language spoken by any limited English proficient population that constitutes at least 3% of the overall population within the geographic area served by a local office of a State agency, constitutional officer, or county of a circuit court, as measured by the U.S. Census. Specifically, the following are important documents to be translated:

(A) All circuit court forms, including self-help forms, and applications and instructions for those forms and applications.

(B) All applications for State benefits, such as welfare and health care, and instructions for those applications.

(C) All public outreach materials, such as pamphlets, posters, and other written materials, produced by State agencies.

(3) Any additional methods or means necessary to achieve equal access to public services.

(c) Each State agency, constitutional officer, circuit court clerk, and State program shall adopt rules regarding the requirements of this Section at least 6 months prior to the date that this Act takes effect, or as soon thereafter as possible.