Maryland Senate Hears Language Access Testimony

Monday, February 18, 2002

The Maryland State Senate Committee on Education, Health and Environmental Affairs recently heard testimony from NFLC Associate Bill Rivers on a bill to set State policy on access to public services for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP). Rivers testified on Senate Bill 265, ?State Government; Access to State Agencies; Persons with Limited English Proficiency.? The bill, sponsored by Senator Perry Sfikas of Baltimore would make it Maryland policy to provide equal access for LEP residents.

The testimony noted that 12% of Maryland?s population speaks a language other than English at home. Rivers reported the results of an NFLC research project, State Government Survey of State Departments, Agencies, and Programs; Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), which found more than 40 languages among the clientele of Maryland State offices. The report also indicated that more than one-third of the LEP clients experience a delay in receiving services from the State government due to language barriers.

The General Assembly is slated to hear testimony on companion legislation, HR 1174, at a future date.