New York S 4249: Enacts the "access to public services for non-English speakers act"

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S04249 Summary:

BILL NOS04249 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORPARKER

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COSPNSRCOMRIE, RIVERA

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MLTSPNSR

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Add Art 14-A §§280 - 282, Exec L

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Enacts the "Access to Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act"; requires state agencies to take reasonable steps to provide equal access to services through oral language services or translating documents for persons with limited English proficiency.

Go to top S04249 Actions:

BILL NOS04249 

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02/03/2025REFERRED TO FINANCE

01/07/2026REFERRED TO FINANCE

Go to topS04249 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS04249 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS04249 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4249

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 February 3, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sens. PARKER, COMRIE, RIVERA -- read twice and ordered
 printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance

 AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
 access to public services for non-English speakers act

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known as the "Access to
 2 Public Services for Non-English Speakers Act".
 3 § 2. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature hereby finds
 4 and declares that:
 5 1. thousands of residents cannot access the public services provided
 6 by state departments, agencies and programs because of their inability
 7 or limited ability to speak, understand or read the English language;
 8 and
 9 2. non-English speakers must have access to these important state
 10 programs.
 11 The purpose of this act is to provide individuals with limited English
 12 proficiency equal access to state departments, agencies and programs.
 13 § 3. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 14-A to read
 14 as follows:
 15 ARTICLE 14-A
 16 ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS ACT
 17 Section 280. Definitions.
 18 281. Language access required.
 19 282. Schedule implementation.
 20 § 280. Definitions. For purposes of this article, the following words
 21 shall mean the following:
 22 1. "Equal access" means to be informed of, participate in, and benefit
 23 from public services offered by a state department, agency, or program,
 24 at a level equal to English proficient individuals.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD07942-01-5

 S. 4249 2

 1 2. "Limited English proficiency" means the inability to adequately
 2 understand or express oneself in the spoken or written English language.
 3 3. "Oral language services" includes various methods to provide verbal
 4 information and interpretations such as staff interpreters, bilingual
 5 staff, telephone interpreter programs, and private interpreter programs.
 6 4. "Vital documents" means applications or informational materials,
 7 notices and complaint forms offered by state departments, agencies and
 8 programs. "Vital documents" does not include applications and examina-
 9 tions related to the licensure, certification or registration of busi-
 10 nesses and professionals.
 11 § 281. Language access required. 1. Each state department shall take
 12 reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for individ-
 13 uals with limited English proficiency.
 14 2. Reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services
 15 include:
 16 (a) In-house oral language services for individuals with limited
 17 English proficiency, if contact between any agency and individuals with
 18 limited English proficiency is on a weekly or more frequent basis.
 19 (b) The translation of vital documents ordinarily provided to the
 20 public into any language spoken by any limited English proficient popu-
 21 lation that constitutes at least three percent of the overall population
 22 within the geographic area served by a local office of a state agency,
 23 as measured by the U.S. Census.
 24 (c) Any additional methods or means necessary to achieve equal access
 25 to public services.
 26 3. Each state department shall adopt regulations regarding the
 27 requirements of this art