SB2914 - Relating to the development of a language access plan to increase access to assistance under health and human services programs by certain individuals.

      By: Miles S.B. No. 2914               A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the development of a language access plan to increase   access to assistance under health and human services programs by   certain individuals.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 531, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 531.0193 to read as follows:           Sec.   531.0193.     LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN. (a) The commission   shall develop a language access plan to increase non-English   speakers' access to assistance provided under the health and human   services programs the commission administers. The plan must   ensure:                 (1)     all of the commission's public written materials,   forms, applications, portal application systems, and external   communications are translated and orally interpreted into any   language spoken by a group in this state with a population of at   least 50,000 of which at least 33 percent have limited English   proficiency, according to the most recent American Community Survey   compiled by the United States Census Bureau, including:                       (A)  English;                       (B)  Spanish;                       (C)  Vietnamese;                       (D)  Korean;                       (E)  Arabic;                       (F)  Mandarin or Cantonese; and                       (G)  traditional and simplified written Chinese;                 (2)     the translated materials, forms, applications,   and external communications are available to the public on the   commission's Internet website;                 (3)     that groups described by Subdivision (1) are   informed about language access rights and services, including the   availability of the commission's written translations and oral   interpretations by:                       (A)  conducting intentional outreach efforts; and                       (B)     posting translated information and public   announcements in public spaces;                 (4)     commission employees are provided training on the   language access plan, language access procedures, and expectations   related to the access plan; and                 (5)     that quality control and accountability measures   are developed to make certain:                       (A)     all translations and interpretations are   professional and understandable; and                       (B)     members of the groups described by   Subdivision (1) are able to evaluate the performance of the   commission's language access services and the effectiveness of the   language access plan.           (b)     The commission shall employ at least one language access   officer to oversee the implementation of the language access plan   and ensure language access services are provided in accordance with   the plan.           (c)     The commission may use multilingual commission   employees or contract with a third party to translate and prepare or   provide oral interpretations of the commission's written   materials, forms, applications, portal application systems, and   external communications as required by Subsection (a).           (d)     The executive commissioner may adopt rules necessary to   implement this section.          SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.