New York S 4737: Ensures language assistance services by state agencies and requires state agencies to maintain records and to submit an annual report on language services

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 Speaker Carl E. Heastie

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S04737 Summary:

BILL NOS04737 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A08238

&nbsp

SPONSORSEPULVEDA

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §55-d, Civ Serv L

&nbsp

Ensures language assistance services by state agencies; requires state agencies to maintain records of the primary language spoken by any individual seeking such assistance; requires state agency to submit an annual report on language services.

Go to top S04737 Actions:

BILL NOS04737 

&nbsp

02/12/2025REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

05/20/2025REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

01/07/2026REFERRED TO CIVIL SERVICE AND PENSIONS

Go to topS04737 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS04737 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topS04737 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4737

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 February 12, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
 printed to be committed to the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions

 AN ACT to amend the civil service law, in relation to language assist-
 ance services by state agencies

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

 1 Section 1. The civil service law is amended by adding a new section
 2 55-d to read as follows:
 3 § 55-d. Ensuring language assistance services by state agencies. 1.
 4 Every state agency shall provide language assistance services to all
 5 limited English proficient individuals so as to ensure that all such
 6 individuals who cannot speak, read, write or understand the English
 7 language with the proficiency necessary for adequate communication with
 8 agency personnel have effective access to the agency's programs and
 9 services. Every state agency shall ensure that all individuals provid-
 10 ing language assistance services to limited English proficient individ-
 11 uals have sufficient fluency in both English and the relevant language
 12 to communicate information necessary for such individual to access
 13 services. Language assistance services for primary and non-primary
 14 languages shall be available at all agency locations open for public
 15 business, and shall, to the extent practicable, be provided in person.
 16 Translation of all frequently used forms and other written materials
 17 that are essential to access agency services shall be available in all
 18 of the agency's primary languages. The president shall develop and
 19 implement a comprehensive language assistance plan that establishes
 20 uniform policies and procedures for providing language assistance
 21 services by all state agencies, including procedures for documenting the
 22 provision of or refusal of language assistance services, and that
 23 requires training to ensure that all staff who have contact with limited
 24 English proficient individuals comply with the plan. Such person provid-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD09456-01-5

 S. 4737 2

 1 ing language assistance services may be a qualified interpreter, volun-
 2 tary worker or other personnel currently employed by the agency.
 3 2. All state agencies shall provide written notice as to the avail-
 4 ability of language assistance services, including oral interpretation
 5 and translations of forms and other materials. Notice of availability of
 6 language assistance services shall also be posted in conspicuous agency
 7 locations open for public business in all primary languages.
 8 3. All state agencies shall maintain a record of the primary languages
 9 spoken by any individual seeking or receiving language assistance
 10 services at such agency. Such information shall be recorded whether or
 11 not such individual actually obtains such service.
 12 4. (a) All state agencies shall submit to the president an annual
 13 report assessing its compliance with the requirements of this section.
 14 The report shall identify the primary languages used by the public, and
 15 the percentage of the agency's interaction with the public who speak
 16 each primary language.
 17 (b) All state agencies shall maintain a record of the foreign language
 18 primarily spoken by any individual