Bill Text: HI HB2161 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Office of Language Access

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-22 - (H) Referred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 3 [HB2161 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB2161-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2161

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to language access.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 371-36, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§371-36[]]  [Executive director of the office] Office of language access; executive director; duties.  There is established within the department of labor and industrial relations, for administrative purposes only, an office of language access.  The head of the office shall be known as the executive director of the office of language access, hereinafter referred to as executive director.  Employees of the office of language access shall include a legal analyst, two research analysts, and a clerk, who shall be appointed by the executive director without regard to chapter 76.  The executive director shall be appointed by the governor without regard to chapter 76.  The executive director shall:

     (1)  Provide oversight, central coordination, and technical assistance to state agencies in their implementation of language access requirements under this part or under any other law, regulation, or guidance;

     (2)  Provide technical assistance to covered entities in their implementation of this part;

     (3)  Review and monitor each state agency's language access plan for compliance with this part;

     (4)  Where reasonable access is not provided, endeavor to eliminate the barrier using informal methods such as conference, conciliation, mediation, or persuasion.  Where the language access barrier cannot be eliminated by informal methods, the executive director shall submit a written report with the executive director's opinion and recommendation to the state agency or the covered entity.  The executive director may request the state agency or the covered entity to notify the executive director, within a specified time, of any action taken on the executive director's recommendation;

     (5)  Consult with language access coordinators, the language access advisory council, and department directors or their equivalent;

     (6)  Subject to section 371-33, create, distribute to the State, and make available to covered entities multilingual signage in the more frequently encountered languages in the State, and other languages as needed, informing individuals of their right to free oral language services and inviting them to identify themselves as persons needing services; and

     (7)  Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to address the language needs of limited English proficient persons."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Office of Language Access

 

Description:

Includes hiring of a senior legal analyst, research analysts, and clerks who are exempt from civil service requirements as part of the duties of the Executive Director of the Office of Language Access.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

feedback