US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

 
    §  8-1003  Language  assistance services. a. The agency and all agency
  contractors shall provide free language assistance services as  required
  by this chapter to limited English proficient individuals.
    b.  When  a  limited  English  proficient individual seeks or receives
  benefits or services from an agency office  or  agency  contractor,  the
  agency  office  or  agency  contractor  shall  provide  prompt  language
  assistance services in all interactions with  that  individual,  whether
  the  interaction  is  by  telephone  or  in person. The agency office or
  agency contractor shall meet its obligation to provide  prompt  language
  assistance  services  for  purposes of this subdivision by ensuring that
  limited English proficient individuals do not have to wait  unreasonably
  longer  to  receive  assistance  than  individuals  who  do  not require
  language assistance services.
    c. Where an application or form requires completion in  English  by  a
  limited  English  proficient  individual  for  submission  to a state or
  federal authority, the agency or agency contractor  shall  provide  oral
  translation  of such application or form as well as certification by the
  limited English proficient individual that the form was  translated  and
  completed by an interpreter.
    d.  The  agency  shall make all reasonable efforts to provide language
  assistance services in person by bilingual personnel.