Leaders of the Mass Speaks coalition, including Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, and Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts, LLC joined forces with community members to testify in support of making state government more equitable and accessible by expanding the capacity of public facing state agencies to serve limited English proficient state residents. 

The Language Access and Inclusion Act (H.3084 and S.1990) would require public facing state agencies to offer interpretation services and translate critical documents and information, including websites, applications, and email communications, into some of the most widely spoken languages. Additionally, the Act would require state agencies to hire full-time language access coordinators to help offices develop and carry out language access plans. The bill would also create an advisory board with members of limited English-speaking communities, the deaf or hard of hearing community, and advocates to aid the state in implementing the law.  

“Bolstering language access across state agencies will break down key barriers that make it far too difficult for limited English proficient speakers to access the most basic services,” said Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of the MIRA Coalition. “Whether it is a young immigrant family navigating MassHealth or a hard-of-hearing retiree seeking guidance from the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Language Access and Inclusion Act will ensure that residents may easily acquire the forms, translation services and peace of mind they need.” 

The Language Access and Inclusion Act hearing comes weeks after Governor Healey issued an  Executive Order focused on expanding language access at state agencies. While the Governor’s order does mandate that state agencies appoint Language Access Coordinators and create Language Access Plans, the Language Access and Inclusion Act goes further by defining and mandating uniform standards and protocols across all state agencies,  including implementation and staffing requirements to ensure that public facing state agencies have the capacity and resources to meet the language access needs of all residents. 

Deborah Silva, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, said, “This bill is deeply connected to every issue on the docket at the State House. From housing, to child welfare, to domestic violence – if we don’t address language discrimination at the agencies providing essential resources in these areas, we are leaving hundreds of thousands of families behind. Last session, we were thrilled to see the Joint Committee recognize the urgent need to improve language access and issue a favorable report for the Language Access and Inclusion Act. As language needs have only increased  in the past year, we are hopeful that the committee will once again report the bill out favorably and bring us one step closer to a more inclusive Massachusetts where everyone can succeed.”

“Inadequate and inconsistent language access at state agencies routinely results in delays and denials of crucial services, such as emergency shelter or food stamps, simply due to communication barriers,” said Brian O’Connor, Program Manager, Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts, LLC. “This injustice is even more pronounced for families outside of Greater Boston, who often suffer from transportation and resource scarcity. We urge the legislature to pass the Language Access and Inclusion Act so that all families in Massachusetts can thrive and access the services to which they are entitled.”

“It’s imperative that everyone in Massachusetts have access to information from every agency with which we all interact in our daily lives,” said Georgia Katsoulomitis, Executive Director, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. “This is not only a basic fairness issue, it is also an access to justice issue. Without meaningful language access in public facing institutions, low-income limited English proficient individuals and communities are denied due process and access to critical services and supports. Gov. Healey has taken a major step in that direction, but we need to be sure that all individuals have the ability to understand state information, and communicate with state offices on everything from domestic violence to the child welfare system to their rights as tenants. This bill does that.”

The Language Access and Inclusion Act was filed by State Senator Sal DiDomenico of Everett, State Representative Adrian Madaro of East Boston, and State Representative Carlos Gonzalez of Springfield. The same group of legislators initially filed the bill in 2021. This session, the policy has secured 61 cosponsors.