Bill Text: HI HB2227 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Office of Language Access; Statewide Language Access Resource Center; Multilingual Website Pilot Project; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-03-18 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [HB2227 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB2227-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2227 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Act 217, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, appropriated funds for the establishment of a statewide language access resource center within the office of language access to allow state agencies and covered entities to provide interpretation and translation services to limited English proficient individuals. Act 217 also appropriated funds for the establishment of a multilingual website pilot project within the office of language access to enable limited English proficient individuals to obtain information about government services in their language.
The statewide language access resource center and the multilingual website pilot project provide meaningful access to important state and state-funded benefits and services to persons who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. Both resources have helped reduce barriers for limited English proficient persons in various areas, including understanding and exercising important rights, complying with applicable responsibilities, and understanding other information provided by state-funded programs and activities.
The legislature finds that while Act 217 appropriated funding to establish the statewide language access resource center and the multilingual website pilot project, more funding is necessary to maintain and continue the services of the center and project. Despite advance preparation by the office of language access, implementation of the pilot project was delayed due to unforeseen challenges associated with the transfer of the office of language access as an administrative attachment of the department of labor and industrial relations to the department of health.
However, the legislature finds that despite funding and staffing challenges, the office of language access used its limited resources creatively to get the statewide language access resource center off to a firm start. By contracting with a public vendor and working with volunteer members of the language access advisory council, the publicly available roster of language service providers is almost complete. An outside vendor is also beginning work on the multilingual website pilot project. The legislature recognizes the need for permanent staffing and funding to support the statewide language access resource center's opening and operation so that the center can build on the work it has started.
The purpose of this Act is to support ongoing efforts to improve access to government services and programs for limited English proficient individuals by appropriating funds to further develop the statewide language access resource center and multilingual website pilot project.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to operate the statewide language access resource center within the office of language access to allow state agencies and covered entities to provide interpretation and translation services to limited English proficient individuals in accordance with Hawaii's language access laws.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to operate the multilingual website pilot project within the office of language access to enable limited English proficient individuals to obtain information about government services in their own language.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2070.
Report Title:
Office of Language Access; Statewide Language Access Resource Center; Multilingual Website Pilot Project; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to continue the operations of the Statewide Language Access Resource Center and Multilingual Website Pilot Project within the Office of Language Access. (HB2227 HD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
