Bill Text: IL HJR0013 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Engrossed

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Bill Title: Creates the Statewide Task Force on Limited English Proficient Patient Access to Quality Interpreter Services to provide recommendations regarding access to quality interpreting services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-19 - Adopted Both Houses [HJR0013 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HJR0013-Engrossed.html

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 13
WHEREAS, There are over 1,000,000 Illinois residents that
are not proficient in English; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes that
comprehensive communication with one's health care provider is
critical; and
WHEREAS, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
guarantees individuals the right to receive interpreter
services from health facilities that receive federal funds;
and
WHEREAS, The Language Assistance Services Act affirms that
the intent of the General Assembly is to provide quality
health care despite the persistence of language barriers; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated a
transition to telehealth services in which Limited English
Proficiency (LEP) patients face structural barriers in
accessing and utilizing, including lack of access to
technology, need for medical interpreters, unfriendly patient
portals, and increased privacy concerns; and
WHEREAS, The American Geriatric Society has published

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findings indicating LEP patients over 60 are at a higher risk
for worse mental and physical outcomes; and
WHEREAS, The Illinois Advisory Committee to the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights heard testimony that LEP patients
do not always receive interpreter services in health
facilities and that, even when interpreter services are
provided, it is not always an accurate interpretation; and
WHEREAS, A survey of hospitals conducted by the American
Medical Association found that over 80% of the hospitals
indicated that they frequently encounter patients with limited
English proficiency; and
WHEREAS, The current law does not hold health care
providers and medical interpretation service companies
accountable for failing to work with qualified or certified
interpreters or for failing to work with best practices in
providing medical interpretation services; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that the Statewide Task Force on
Limited English Proficient Patient Access to Quality
Interpreter Services is hereby created to provide
recommendations regarding access to quality interpreting

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services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall focus on issues
including, but not limited to:
(1) The barriers preventing LEP patients from
accessing quality interpreting services;
(2) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic relating to
its effects on access to quality interpreter services;
(3) Issues concerning funding for services and
reimbursement for health care providers;
(4) The number and quality of certified interpreters;
(5) Effective communication of the law to health care
providers; and
(6) Creating a plan for realistic enforcement of
violations of the Language Assistance Services Act; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall consist of the
following voting members, who shall have racial, ethnic,
gender, and geographic diversity and include the following:
(1) One member appointed by the Director of the
Illinois Department of Public Health, who shall serve as
chair;
(2) Two members of the House of Representatives, one
appointed by the Speaker of the House and one appointed by

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the House Minority Leader;
(3) Two members of the Senate, one appointed by the
President of the Senate and one appointed by the Senate
Minority Leader;
(4) One member of the Governor's policy leadership
team appointed by the Governor; and
(5) 16 public members appointed by the Task Force
chair:
(a) 8 members who should equitably represent
the following groups:
(i) An association that advocates on
behalf of the health of the Chinese-American
community;
(ii) An association that advocates on
behalf of the health of the Hispanic/Latino
community; and
(iii) An association that advocates on
behalf of the health of the midwest Asian-American
community;
(b) Three members who are nationally board
certified medical interpreters who can highlight
challenges as well as opportunities for State action
to enhance the number of nationally board certified
medical interpreters;
(c) One member from a statewide association
that advocates on behalf of a majority of hospitals

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and health care providers;
(d) One member from an association that
advocates on behalf of civil rights;
(e) One member from the Illinois Department of
Healthcare and Family Services who deals primarily
with non-English speaking residents;
(f) One member from the Illinois Department of
Human Services who is knowledgeable on how LEP affects
rural, low income families; and
(g) One physician licensed by the State whose
practice focuses on emergency medicine and can speak
to the importance of quality communication as it
relates to emergency medicine; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall have all appointments
made within 60 days of the adoption of this resolution; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force members shall receive no
compensation for their service but may receive reimbursement
for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their
duties, subject to the availability of funds for that purpose;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Public Health
shall provide administrative support for the Task Force; and

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be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall meet at the call of the
chair and then shall meet at least quarterly until it
completes its work; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall submit its final
report to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than
January 1, 2025, and, upon the filing of its final report, is
dissolved; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health, the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader,
the President of the Senate, the Senate Minority Leader, and
the Governor.