Vermont S 111: An act relating to language access and emergency response

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.111
2025 Page 1 of 2

VT LEG #381268 v.1
S.111 1
Introduced by Senator Gulick 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: General provisions; common law; general rights; interpreters for 5
judicial, administrative, and legislative proceedings; language access 6
for critical services 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require the 8
Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health to establish and 9
maintain contracts with organizations to provide translated material for critical 10
services provided by a State agency. This bill also proposes to appropriate 11
$250,000.00 for the creation of informational media and advertisements 12
concerning the availability of translated material for critical services provided 13
by State agencies. 14
An act relating to language access and emergency response 15
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 16
Sec. 1. 1 V.S.A. § 340 is added to read: 17
§ 340. LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR CRITICAL SERVICES 18
(a) As used in this section: 19

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.111
2025 Page 2 of 2

VT LEG #381268 v.1
(1) “Critical services” means services that are provided in response to an 1
all-hazard event as defined by 20 V.S.A. § 2 or information provided by a State 2
agency that affects an individual’s legal rights, privileges, or duties. 3
(2) “Translated material” means any written or recorded information 4
that is translated for individuals who do not speak English. 5
(b) The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Health shall 6
establish and maintain contracts with organizations within the State to provide 7
translated material for any critical services provided by a State agency. 8
Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS 9
In fiscal year 2026, the following sums are appropriated from the General 10
Fund for purposes of producing informational media and advertisements 11
concerning the availability of translated material for critical services: 12
(1) $125,000.00 to the Department of Public Safety; and 13
(2) $125,000.00 to the Department of Health. 14
Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 15
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 16