Delaware General Assembly

Lieu/Substituted 6/15/23

Adopted in Lieu of original; takes status of original

SS 1 for SB 82

4/19/23

Walsh

Rep. K. Williams

Sen. Huxtable, Pinkney, Townsend
Reps. Baumbach, K. Johnson, Wilson-Anton

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO IMPROVING COMMUNICATION ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND DISABILITIES.

This Act requires certain State programs to provide annual reports to the General Assembly about compliance with federal and State law and regulation that require meaningful access to services for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) and effective communication for individuals with disabilities. The first report is due beginning December 1 following 30 days after the enactment of this Act. For the first 3 years after enactment, the reporting requirements are those located in § 10603(b) of Title 29. These reporting requirements allow programs to make estimates and are designed to gather information on compliance and any challenges while giving State programs time to prepare for collecting more detailed data in the future. Beginning 4 years after enactment of this Act, State programs that are required to report shall comply with the reporting requirements in § 10603(c) of Title 29. The reporting requirements in § 10603(c) require data collection about various aspects of program access and effective communication for individuals with LEP and disabilities. The reports provided under this chapter will inform the General Assembly regarding appropriations necessary to improve meaningful program access for individuals with limited English proficiency and effective communication for individuals with disabilities. This Act also creates a short-term program within the Office of the Manufactured Housing Ombudsperson and the Department of Justice. This program will provide special language and communication assistance support for individuals with limited English proficiency and disabilities to better understand and participate in matters related to residential leases and evictions and home purchases and foreclosures. The program will expire 2 years after enactment of this Act unless extended by an act of the General Assembly. The Department of Justice is not required to spend more than $48,500 on translation and interpretation services, and auxiliary aids, in the fiscal year following enactment. This Act must be implemented no later than 30 days after enactment.

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Takes effect upon being signed into law

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