WashingtonOffice of Equity sets language-access guidelines for state agencies
Washington’s Office of Equity must set language-access guidelines, plan for interpreter shortages, and receive reports from agencies on how they will carry out the guidelines.
What it does
The Office of Equity must set shared language-access guidelines for state agencies, covering programs they run or help fund and different ways people communicate.
The Office of Equity must develop a plan for interpreter and translator shortages, with special attention to less commonly used languages and rural areas.
State agencies must tell the Office of Equity and the budget office how and when they plan to follow the guidelines, and whether they need more resources.
Argument forPeople who prefer another language, including signed languages, could find state programs easier to use when agencies follow consistent communication guidelines.
Argument againstAgencies may need extra staff or money to follow the guidelines, and they must report whether they need those resources.
More detail
The Office of Equity must develop shared guidelines for state agencies to provide language-accessible programs, activities, and services. They cover programs, activities, and services run by a state agency or receiving financial help from one. The guidelines must cover spoken, written, signed, tactile, and visual communication in person, by phone, online, through recordings, and on paper or digitally. The office must consult state agencies, affected communities, and other listed groups when developing the guidelines. The office must develop the guidelines by December 1, 2027, and review them at least every three years after their initial publication.
The Office of Equity must work with interested groups to develop a plan for addressing interpreter and translator shortages. The plan concerns shortages affecting people using public programs, activities, and services. The plan must address spoken- and sign-language interpreters and translators, with special attention to less commonly used languages and rural areas. The office must work with listed groups, including the organization representing language-access providers. The office must send the plan to legislative committees and the governor by December 1, 2027.
State agencies must report how they plan to put the language-access guidelines into practice. The reporting duty applies to state agencies and concerns the guidelines developed by the Office of Equity. Each report must include an implementation timeline and explain whether the agency needs additional resources. Agencies must report by June 30, 2028.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 23Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 23Chapter 142, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 23Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 9President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 6Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 17; absent, 1; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#16). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 2Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Mar 2WM - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 27Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:30 PM.
- Feb 25Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 24And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 24SGTE - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 20Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 18First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.Minor
- Feb 16Third reading, passed; yeas, 62; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 3.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#2). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 161st substitute bill substituted (SGOV 26).Major
- Feb 14Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 9Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 9Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 9Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 9APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by State Government & Tribal Relations.Minor
- Feb 9Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 6Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 4Referred to Appropriations.Minor
- Feb 4Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 4SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 4Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 20Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 14First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.Introduced
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