Bill Text: IL SB1921 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Creates the Access to Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act. Provides that a State or local department or agency shall take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency. Includes examples of reasonable steps that shall be taken. Provides that a State or local department or agency shall adopt rules regarding the requirements within 6 months after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Department of Human Resources, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall provide central coordination and technical assistance to departments and agencies to help them comply with the provisions. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2025-01-07 - Session Sine Die [SB1921 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SB1921-Introduced.html

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103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 SB1921 Introduced 2/9/2023, by Sen. Rachel Ventura SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
New Act
30 ILCS 805/8.47 new
Creates the Access to Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act. Provides that a State or local department or agency shall take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency. Includes examples of reasonable steps that shall be taken. Provides that a State or local department or agency shall adopt rules regarding the requirements within 6 months after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Department of Human Resources, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall provide central coordination and technical assistance to departments and agencies to help them comply with the provisions. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.
LRB103 28924 AWJ 55310 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
SB1921 LRB103 28924 AWJ 55310 b
AN ACT concerning government.
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 Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act.
Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Equal access" means to be informed of, participate in,
and benefit from public services or programs offered by the
State of Illinois, its departments, agencies, or political
subdivisions, including, but not limited to, municipalities
and counties, at a level equal to English-proficient
individuals.
"Limited English proficiency" means the inability to
adequately and effectively understand or express oneself in
either spoken or written English.
"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.
"Vital documents" means applications or informational
materials and notice and complaint forms offered by State or
local departments, agencies, and programs. "Vital documents"
does not include applications and examinations related to the

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licensure, certification, or registration of businesses and
professionals.
Section 10. Language access requirements.
(a) Each State and local department and agency shall take
reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services
for individuals with limited English proficiency.
(b) Reasonable steps, as referenced in subsection (a), to
provide equal access to public services include:
(1) in-house oral language services for individuals
with limited English proficiency, if the contact between a
department or agency and the individuals with limited
English proficiency is on a weekly or more frequent basis;
(2) the translation of vital documents ordinarily
provided to the public into any language English
proficiency population that constitutes at least 3% of the
population of the State as measured by the federal
decennial census. Any changes needed to be made to be in
compliance with this requirement following a new federal
decennial census shall result in the modification of the
languages offered as required by this Act; and
(3) any additional method that is necessary for the
department or agency to carry out its activities
effectively and efficiently.
(c) Each department and agency shall adopt rules regarding
the requirements of this Section within 6 months after the

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effective date of this Act.
(d) The Department of Human Resources, in consultation
with the Office of the Attorney General, shall provide central
coordination and technical assistance to departments and
agencies to help them comply with this Section.
Section 90. Home rule. A home rule unit may not regulate
the unit's departments or agencies in a manner inconsistent
with this Act. This Act is a limitation under subsection (i) of
Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution on the
concurrent exercise by home rule units of powers and functions
exercised by the State.
Section 95. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding
Section 8.47 as follows:
(30 ILCS 805/8.47 new)
Sec. 8.47. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and
8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for
the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory
Act of the 103rd General Assembly.