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Clark County tells lawmakers it filed language‑access plan and is building department liaisons
Summary
Clark County officials said they filed a countywide language access plan in July 2024 and are creating a multi‑year implementation program with liaisons in each of 38 departments to identify vital documents and standardize public access to translated services.
Clark County government affairs staff told the Assembly Government Affairs Committee on Feb. 20 that the county filed a language access plan in July 2024 and is moving to implement it across departments, appointing departmental liaisons and identifying ‘vital documents’ that affect residents’ rights.
Joanna Jacob, Clark County government affairs manager, said the county set up a language access committee and has begun briefing every county department on the plan. “We are identifying vital documents, which really are ones that would impact people's ability to claim benefits or appeal a permit or those types of things,” Jacob told committee members.
The county’s next steps include standardizing how people who walk into county offices are directed to language services and ensuring liaison staff in each department can help identify documents that require translation. Jacob said aviation and the county clerk’s office had already been doing language access work, and the county aims to build a consistent, countywide approach.
Why it matters: The law requiring local governments to prepare language‑access plans was adopted in the prior legislative session. County staff told lawmakers the implementation will be a multi‑year effort because Clark County provides both municipal and regional services across many departments.
Implementation details and outreach - The county created a language access committee and assigned a liaison in each of its 38 departments to identify needs and coordinate translations and services, Jacob said. - The county conducted an internal survey and briefed every department after the bill passed; staffers Ashley Garza Kennedy and Joanna Jacob visited departments together to explain the new legal requirements and implementation approach. - The county plans to prioritize translation of documents that affect legal rights or access to benefits.
Ending: Jacob said the county will continue to work with community partners on implementation and invited committee members to ask questions of county staff, including Ashley Garza Kennedy, who was present during the hearing.
