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History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Enacts the bilingual services act
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S3589
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to bilingual services
Purpose or general idea of bill
To ensure effective communication between all levels of government in this state and the people of this state who are precluded from utilizing public services because of a language barrier.
Summary of specific provisions
The executive law is amended by adding a new article 19-E, which includes section 460-470 which stipulates that state and local agencies employ the services of a sufficient number of qualified bilingual people in public contact positions and provide both oral and written translations of information in non-English languages.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
The executive law is amended by adding a new article 19-E.
Justification
The effective maintenance and development of a free and democratic society depends on the right and ability of its citizens and residents to communicate with their government and the right and ability of the government to communicate with them.
There is a substantial number of people who live, work and pay taxes in this state who are unable to effectively communicate with their government, either because they do not speak or write English at all, or because their primary language is other than English. Furthermore, state and local agency employees are frequently unable to communicate with persons requiring their services because of this language barrier. In result, a substantial number of people are presently being denied rights and benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled.
Enactment of this bill will provide for effective communication between all levels of government in this state and the people of this state to who English is not a primary language.
Prior legislative history
2001/02 - A.9397 - Referred to Governmental Operations 2003/04 - A.2923 - Referred to Governmental Operations 2005/06 - A.5931 - Referred to Governmental Operations 2007/08 - A.6607 - Referred to Governmental Operations 2009/10 - A.6544 - Referred to Governmental Operations
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Unknown.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1, 2016.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.