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Advocates press committee to enact Language Access and Inclusion Act as federal rollbacks raise stakes
Summary
A coalition of advocates told the joint committee that the Language Access and Inclusion Act would mandate interpreters, translated vital documents and language‑access plans at selected state agencies to ensure meaningful access for residents with limited English proficiency.
A broad coalition of civil‑rights, legal‑services, public‑health and immigrant‑advocacy groups urged the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight to report favorably on the Language Access and Inclusion Act, H.3384 / S.2125.
"Our community members shouldn't be afraid of the government because of something as basic as language barriers," said Leila Ramachandran, policy director for the Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission.
Witnesses described five core provisions in the draft bill: mandatory interpretation services and translation of vital documents; agency language‑access plans informed by regular data collection and assessments; a requirement that agencies employ a full‑time language‑access coordinator; creation of a language‑access…
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