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Detroit Council approves citywide language-access policy after debate over cost and timeline
Summary
The Detroit City Council voted to adopt a citywide Language Access Ordinance requiring departments to file plans and provide translation and interpretation for limited-English speakers; implementation timelines and potential fiscal costs were highlighted in committee debate.
The Detroit City Council on Tuesday approved a citywide Language Access Ordinance that requires city departments to prepare language-access plans, name a department liaison and make certain “vital” public documents available in other languages when requested.
The ordinance, introduced and carried by Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero, was amended in committee to extend the deadline for departments to file plans so the city can hire staff and stage implementation. Council members and city budget staff warned that translation obligations carry an indeterminate fiscal cost beyond the staff already budgeted for the city’s civil-rights office, CREO.
CREO Deputy…
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