SB1448eng 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1448 Engrossed LRB095 11076 AJO 31402 b

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 able to interact with a State agency or constitutional office 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 and constitutional officers, as defined by rule by the appropriate State agency or constitutional officer. "Important" documents" does not include applications and examinations related to the licensure, certification, or registration of businesses and professionals.

"Sufficient number of qualified bilingual persons in public contact positions" means the number of qualified bilingual persons required in order to provide the same level of service to non-English-speaking persons as is available to English-speaking persons seeking the same service from State agencies or constitutional officers.

Section 10. Language access required.

(a) Each State agency and constitutional officer shall take reasonable steps to provide equal access to the agency or office for individuals with limited English proficiency.

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

(1) Development and implementation of pilot programs or phase-in implementation plans for having a sufficient number of qualified bilingual persons in public contact positions or as interpreters to assist persons in public contact positions in providing oral language services to individuals with limited English proficiency where there is documented substantial need due to contact between a State agency or constitutional officer and individuals with limited English proficiency.

(2) Development and implementation of pilot programs or phase-in implementation plans for translating important documents ordinarily provided to the public into the language spoken by any limited English proficient population that constitutes at least 3% of the overall population of the State as measured by the U.S. Census.

(c) Each State agency and constitutional officer shall adopt rules regarding the requirements of this Section not more than 6 months after the date that this Act takes effect, or as soon thereafter as possible.

(d) The Department of Human Rights shall implement a process to address disputes arising under this Act, including, but not limited to, disputes concerning the interpretation of "important documents" and "sufficient number of qualified bilingual persons in public contact positions", not more than 6 months after the date that this Act takes effect, or as soon thereafter as possible.