Signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that requires state departments and agencies take reasonable steps to help Michigan residents with limited English proficiency access state services.

Highlights:

• Specifies that this act may be referred to as the “meaningful language access to state services act” (Sec. 1). 

• Defines terms related to limited English proficiency (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that entities covered by this act shall take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services for individuals with limited English skills (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies the requirements for what constitutes access and sets geographic and population proportion requirements (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that this requires translation of important documents (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that a language access must be provided if 3% of the local population speaks it (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that covered entities may not charge more for full language access services (Sec. 3). 

• Specifies that each covered entity shall submit a report governing the implementation of language access services (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text