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House advances funding and duties for Multicultural Health Center in H.B. 142
Summary
The House amended and passed H.B. 142 to expand duties for the Center for Multicultural Health (translation/review standards) and approved a reduced funding increase (committee lowered $150,000 to $100,000); sponsor cited rapid LEP growth in Utah.
Representatives adopted amendments to House Bill 142 on Feb. 14, 2006, clarifying the duties of the Center for Multicultural Health and approving the committee’s reduced funding level.
Representative Ross Romero introduced amendment #3 to define duties more precisely: the center would ensure delivery of qualified, timely, culturally appropriate translation services across department programs and, where appropriate, deliver linguistically competent translation and communication services and review translations for appropriateness. Romero said the center would help address health disparities and serve Utah’s rapidly growing limited‑English‑proficient population, citing a 158.9% growth in LEP residents between 1990 and 2000.
On funding, representatives confirmed committee language lowering a requested funding level from $150,000 to $100,000; the sponsor said that $100,000 would still represent a significant increase to the center and urged colleagues to consider the budget during upcoming appropriations work. The House adopted the amendment and passed H.B. 142 (recorded 7 yes, 0 no in the chamber’s reported vote) and referred the bill to the Senate.
Next steps: the bill will be considered in the Senate; sponsors asked colleagues to remember the funding request during budget deliberations.
