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New Language Access Law in DC
The District Has a New Language Access Law
On April 21, 2004 Mayor Anthony A. Williams signed into law the Language Access Act (LAA). The central purpose of the LAA is to provide greater access and participation in public services, programs and activities for residents of the District of Columbia who have limited or Non-English Proficiency.
The Act requires that DC governmental departments, programs, and services assess the need for and offer oral language services and provide written translations of what are defined as “vital documents” to its LEP/NEP constituents, so that said constituents can access or participate in the services, programs, or activities they offer. In addition, District agencies that have major public contact must establish and implement a Language Access Plan, and designate a Language Access Coordinator.
Moreover, the new law mandates that the Office of Human Rights (OHR), in conjunction with the Office on Latino Affairs (OLA), the Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA), and the newly created—in 2006, and staffed in 2007— Office on African Affairs (OAA) assist, coordinate, and supervise DC government agencies, programs, and services in the implementation and compliance of the LAA according to the provisions set forth within the scope of the Act and the mandates of their respective agencies.
At the signing event, representatives from the city's diverse immigrant community along with the directors of the Office on Latino Affairs, Gustavo Velasquez, the Office on Pacific Asian Islander Affairs, Greg Chen, and Office of Human Rights, Kenneth Saunders, joined Mayor Williams at a signing ceremony that took place at the Wilson Building.
As Mayor Williams explained during the signing event, “Language access is a civil rights issue, and it's also a customer service issue. This legislation will allow local immigrant residents to have access to District government services and benefits they need and are entitled to. I am glad that DC is a national leader in providing fair treatment of our immigrant communities.”
The Act expressly cites that it applies on its effective date to:
- Department of Health (DOH)
- Department of Human Service (DHS)
- Department of Employment Services (DOES)
- Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
- DC Public Schools (DCPS)
- Office of Planning (OP)
- Fire and Emergency Medical Services (DCFEMS)
- Office of Human Rights (OHR)
The LAA shall also apply as of October 1, 2004, to:
- Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
- Department of Mental Health (DMH)
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)
- Alcohol Beverage Regulatory Administration (ABRA)
- Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)
The Language Access Act shall accordingly apply as of October 1, 2005, to:
- Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)
- Office on Aging (DCOA)
- District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL)
- Department of Human Resources (DCHR)
- Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP)
- Department of Corrections (DOC)
- Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR)
The Language Access Act shall accordingly apply as of October 1, 2006, to:
- DC Housing Authority (DCHA)
- Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC)
- Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA)
- And to all covered entities
Additionally, it was then established that the Act shall apply as of October 1, 2006 to all DC government agencies or “covered entities,” including DC Courts, with the exception of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
Washington, DC, is the third city after Oakland and San Francisco to enact similar legislation.
The DC Council passed the Language Access Act, introduced by Councilmember Jim Graham, on April 6.
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