(a) Each State department, agency, or program listed or identified under subsection (c) of this section shall: (1) subject to subsection (b) of this section, develop a language access plan; (2) take reasonable steps to provide equal access to public services for individuals with limited English proficiency who need language assistance, including any oral, written, and sign language services; and (3) arrange for the translation of vital documents ordinarily provided to the public into any language spoken by any limited English proficient population that constitutes 3% of the population within the geographic area served by a local office of a State program. (b) (1) In developing the language access plan required under subsection (a)(1) of this section, each State department, agency, or program shall: (i) determine the number or percentage of individuals with limited English proficiency who are eligible to be served by, or likely to have an encounter with, the State department, agency, or program; (ii) estimate the frequency with which individuals with limited English proficiency will come into contact with the State department, agency, or program; and (iii) determine the language assistance resources available to the State department, agency, or program. (2) Each State department, agency, or program shall update the language access plan every 2 years and include: (i) the types and descriptions of language assistance services that the State department, agency, or program will provide; (ii) a list of the languages, including dialects, or forms of communication for which a State department, agency, or program will provide language assistance services and the rationale for selecting the languages, dialects, or forms of communication; (iii) an evaluation and assessment of the adequacy of the language assistance services to be provided; (iv) a description and frequency of training for public contact staff on the language access plan; (v) the process for filing a complaint related to a language assistance service; and (vi) a description of the funding and budgetary sources to implement the language access plan. (c) (1) On or before July 1, 2028, the provisions of this section shall be fully implemented by: (i) the Workers' Compensation Commission; (ii) the Commission on Civil Rights; (iii) the Department of State Police; (iv) the Comptroller of Maryland; (v) the Maryland Transit Administration; (vi) the State Department of Education; (vii) the Office of the Attorney General; (viii) five independent agencies, boards, or commissions, to be determined by the Secretary of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General; and (ix) each principal department listed under § 8-201 of this article. (2) If a principal department is created on or after October 1, 2028, the principal department shall comply with the requirements of this section beginning 1 year after the date on which the principal department is created. (d) On or before September 30 each year, each State department, agency, or program identified under subsection (c) of this section shall submit a report to the Maryland Language Advisory Group that contains the following information for the previous fiscal year: (1) a summary of all activities performed, including a self- assessment and explanation of any unmet objectives; and (2) any other performance measures required by the Maryland Language Advisory Group.
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