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Employee‑Management Committee approves language access plan for people with limited English proficiency
Summary
The committee approved an EMC Language Access Plan requiring the committee to provide and fund interpreter and translation services on request; DHRM said the plan relies on a 142‑person state bilingual list and statewide vendor contracts.
The Employee‑Management Committee voted Oct. 17 to adopt a Language Access Plan that outlines how individuals with limited English proficiency can obtain translation and interpretation services in connection with EMC proceedings.
Nora Johnson of the Division of Human Resource Management presented the plan and Carrie Hughes, Supervisory Human Resource Analyst, answered member questions. Johnson summarized the legal basis: the plan responds to NRS 232.0081 and federal civil‑rights requirements and "indicates that it is the responsibility of the EMC to provide translators or interpreters for individuals with limited English proficiency and the EMC bears the cost of those services."
The plan identifies two mechanisms for providing services: the state bilingual contact list (142 employees) and statewide vendor contracts for translation and sign‑language interpretation. The EMC named two language access coordinators (Kimberly Smith and Millie Thomas) to help secure services when requested.
Committee members questioned whether translated decisions and written materials would be provided and how employees would be notified of the option. DHRM staff said the plan is posted publicly and services will be arranged on request; staff also said agencies may provide language access earlier in the grievance process at steps one through three.
The committee approved the plan unanimously.
