What's happening
This bill authorizes the housing commissioner to require legal forms and applications be translated into Spanish and other widely spoken languages.
Why it matters
Improves access to housing services for non-English speakers. by ensuring that key legal forms and applications are available in languages spoken by at least 1% of the population, which could help tenants and applicants avoid misunderstandings or errors.
Empowers the housing commissioner with flexibility. to determine which additional languages are needed, allowing the state to respond to demographic changes and local language needs without requiring new legislation each time.
May reduce barriers to housing assistance and legal protections. , particularly for immigrant communities or those with limited English proficiency, potentially leading to greater equity in accessing state housing programs.
Promotes administrative efficiency and compliance. by providing official translations, which can help landlords, tenants, and agencies avoid disputes or legal complications due to language gaps.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Translate Housing Forms
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
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.
Translate Housing Forms
In Assembly Committee · Housing · Sponsor Alicia Hyndman
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4748
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 22, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development
AN ACT to authorize the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal to prescribe certain forms in different languages
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal is authorized to prescribe for legal forms and applications to be translated into Spanish and any other languages as such commissioner deems appropriate, as long as such language is spoken by at least one percent of the population. Such commissioner shall further cause such translated forms and applications to be prepared, printed and disseminated.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10615-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to authorize the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal to prescribe certain forms in different languages
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide that some legal forms of the housing division also be distributed in languages other than English.
Summary of specific provisions
The bill authorizes the Commissioner to distribute housing forms in languages spoken by at least one percent of the population. The languages to be used are as the commissioner consider suitable.
Justification
This bill is necessary to protect those in the state of New York who cannot read in the English language. It will help them better understand the forms needed to obtain proper housing.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S3639 - REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVEL- OPMENT 2015-16:S.1537 -Referred to Housing 2013-14:S.3218 -Referred to Housing 2011-12:S.1127-Referred to Housing 2009-10:S.293/A.4520 - Referred to Housing 2007-08:A.4629 -Referred to Housing 2005-06:A.3941 -Referred to Housing 2003-04:A.5362-Referred Housing 2002-03:A.10449- Referred to Housing
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law, with provisions.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.